LEAGUE  OF  LIBRARY  COMMISSIONS 


HAND-BOOK 


LEAGUE  OF    LIBRARY  COMMISSIONS. 
(Affiliated  with  the  A.  L..  A.) 
MEMBERS. 
Alabama   Department  of  Archives  and   History:  Division  of  Li- 
brary   Extension;    Thomas    M.     Owen,     L.L.  D.,    Director, 
Montgomery. 

California  State  Library:  Jas.  L.  Gillis,  State  Librarian,  Sacra- 
mento. 

Connecticut  Free  Library  Committee:  Caroline  M.  Hewins,  Sec- 
retary, Hartford. 

Delaware  State  Library  Commission:  Thomas  W.  Wilson,  Sec- 
retary, Dover. 

Georgia  Library  Commission:  Mrs.  Percival  Sneed,  Organizer, 
Atlanta. 

Illinois  Library  Extension  Commission:  Eugenia  Allin,  Organiz- 
er,  Decatur. 

Indiana  Public  Library  Commission:  Carl  B.  Milam,  Secretary, 
Indianapolis. 

Iowa   Library  Commission:  Alice  S.  Tyler,  Secretary,  Des  Moines. 

Kentucky  Library  Commission:  Fannie  C.  Rawson,  Secretary, 
Frankfort. 

Massachusetts  Free  Public  Library  Commission:  Charles  F.  D. 
Belden,  Chairman,  State  Library,  Boston. 

Michigan  State  Board  of  Library  Commissioners:  Mrs.  Mary  C. 
Spencer,  Secretary,  Lansing. 

Minnesota  Public  Library  Commission:  Clara  F.  Baldwin,  Sec- 
retary,  St.   Paul. 

Missouri  Library  Commission:  Elizabeth  B.  Wales,  Secretary, 
Jefferson  City. 

Nebraska  Public  Library  Commission:  Charlotte  Templeton,  Sec- 
retary, Lincoln. 

New  Jersey  Public  Library  Commission:  H.  C.  Buchanan,  Sec- 
retary, Trenton. 

New  York  Education  Department,  Division  of  Educational  Ex- 
tension: W.  R.  Eastman,  Chief  of  Division,  Albany. 

North  Carolina  Library  Commission:  Minnie  W.  Leatherman, 
Secretary,  Raleigh. 

North  Dakota  Public  Library  Commission:  Mrs.  Minnie  Clarke 
Budlong,  Secretary  &  Director  of  Library  Extension,  Bis- 
marck. 

Ohio  Board  of  Library  Commissioners:  C.  B.  Galbreath,  Secre- 
tary, Columbus. 

Oregon  Public  Library  Commission:  Cornelia  Marvin,  Secretary, 
Salem. 

Pennsylvania  Free  Library  Commission:  Thos.  L.  Montgomery, 
Secretary,  Harrisburg. 

Rhode  Island  Department  of  Education:  Walter  E.  Ranger,  Com- 
missioner, Providence. 

Tennessee  Free  Library  Commission:  Mrs.  Pearl  Williams  Kel- 
ley,  Secretary,  Nashville. 

Vermont  Board  of  Library  Commissioners:  Rebecca  Wright, 
Secretary,  Montpelier. 

Washington  State  Library  Commission:  J.  M.  Hitt,  Secretary, 
Olympia. 

Wisconsin  Free  Library  Commission:  Matthew  S.  Dudgeon,  Sec- 
retary, Madison. 

EXECUTIVE  BOARD. 

President—Clara  F.  Baldwin,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

1st   Vice-President— Cornelia  Marvin,   Salem,   Oregon. 

2d    Vice-President— Hiller    C.    Wellman,    Springfield,    Mass. 

Secretary-Treasurer— Charlotte    Templeton,    Lincoln,    Nebr. 

Publication  Committee— Robert  P.  Bliss,  Chairman,  Harrisburg. 
Pa.;  Elizabeth  B.  Wales,  Jefferson  City,  Missouri;  Mat- 
thew S.  Dudgeon,  Madison,  Wis. 


LEAGUE  OF  LIBRARY  COMMISSIONS 
HAND-BOOK 


COMPILED  BY 

CLARA  F.  BALDWIN 
Secretary  Minnesota  Public  Library  Commission 


PRINTED  for  the 

League  of  Library  Commissions 
December,  1910 


^ 


CONTENTS.  8CHOO*- 

Introductory  note    3 

Historical    Summary 5 

League  of  Library  Commissions 12 

Publications     IS 

Constitution   17 

Organization  and  Activities  of  Commissions  20 

Alabama  Dept.  of  Archives  and  History 20 

California   State   Library    22 

Colorado  State  Board  of  Library  Commissioners   25 

Colorado  Traveling  Library  Commission   26 

Connecticut  Free   Public  Library   Committee    27 

Delaware  State  Library  Commission   30 

Georgia  Library  Commission 31 

Idaho   State  Library  Commission    32 

Illinois  Library  Extension  Commission   ZZ 

Indiana  Public  Library  Commission  34 

Iowa  Library  Commission   38 

Kansas  Traveling  Libraries  Commission  41 

Kentucky  Library  Commission  42 

Maine  Library  Commission   44 

Maryland   State  Library  Commission    45 

Massachusetts  Free  Public  Library  Commission   46 

Michigan  State  Board  of  Library  Commissioners  48 

Minnesota  Public  Library  Commission 50 

Missouri  Library  Commission    55 

Nebraska  Public  Library  Commission    57 

New  Hampshire  Public  Library  Commission 59 

New  Jersey  Public  Library  Commission  60 

New  York  State  Education  Department : — 

Division  of   Educational  Extension 62 

North    Carolina   Library   CommissLvtt.  i  •;. .;. 66 

North  Dakota  Public  Library  Cortlnlissi'oii' 68 

Ohio  Board  of  Library- Ci5ijimis*sipnerjj  . . . .  .'.\ 70 

Oregon   Library  •"Commtssroir .  '. .  V:. :.,,.:...  v  .... .' 73 

Pennsylvania  Free  Library  Commission  79 

Rhode  Island  Department  of  Education: — 

State  Committee  on  Libraries    ,^ 81 

Tennessee  Free  Library  Commission   83 

Texas  Library  and  Historical  Commission 84 

Utah  Library-Gymnasium  Commission   85 

Vermont  Board  of  Library  Commissioners 87 

Virginia  State  Library 91 

Washington  State  Library  Commission  92 

Wisconsin   Free  Library  Commission    94 

Directory  of  Library  Commissions    102 


INTRODUCTORY   NOTE. 


Three  editions  of  the  Yearbook  of  Library  Commissions 
were  published  by  the  League  in  1906,  1907  and  1908. 

The  annual  publication  will  now  be  discontinued,  and 
the  present  Handbook  follows  the  plan  of  previous  Yearbooks 
in  its  effort  to  furnish  in  convenient  form  information  re- 
garding the  organization  and  work  of  each  commission.  All 
statistical  tables  have  been  omitted  from  this  edition,  as 
it  is  proposed  to  issue  annual  supplements  giving  statistics 
for  the  year,  with  notes  regarding  new  commissions  organ- 
ized, or  important  new  work  undertaken  by  any  commission. 

Grateful  acknowledgment  is  herewith  extended  to  the  of- 
ficers of  the  various  commissions  who  have  furnished  mate- 
rial on  the  work  in  their  respective  states. 

C.  F.  B. 


284284 


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in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/baldwinhandbool<OOIeagrich 


HISTORICAL  SUMMARY. 

With  the  recent  growth  of  the  library  extension  move- 
ment, and  the  recognition  of  the  pubHc  library  as  an  "inte- 
gral part  of  public  education,"  has  developed  the  idea  of  fos- 
tering and  encouraging  this  movement  by  state  aid  or  super- 
vision in  some  form.  The  public  school  systems  of  our 
several  states  have  been  brought  to  their  present  success- 
ful operation  through  generous  state  aid  and  encourage- 
ment, and  the  public  library  systems  are  now  claiming  equal 
recognition  as  educational  institutions.  In  spite  of  the  fact 
that  statistics  show  a  great  increase  in  the  number  of  books 
accessible  to  the  people,  a  careful  study  of  conditions  in 
rural  communities  shows  that  many  millions  of  people  have 
no  access  to  libraries.  To  solve  this  problem  of  furnishing 
free  books  to  the  entire  population,  the  aid  of  the  state  has 
naturally  been  sought.  Another  problem  of  library  extension 
is  that  of  the  small  library  with  small  income  and  inex- 
perienced service.  To  encourage  a  healthful  growth  in  such 
libraries  and  promote  their  efficiency,  the  need  of  some  cen- 
ter of  information  is  apparent. 

Thirty-five  states  are  now  undertaking  library  extension 
work,  twenty-five  through  library  commissions,  seven  through 
the  state  library,  and  three  under  the  direction  of  the  state 
department  of  education.  Although  the  organization  and  meth- 
ods of  the  several  states  differ  materially,  the  common  aim 
is  to  encourage  the  establishment  of  libraries  in  all  com- 
munities able  to  support  them,  to  promote  the  efficiency  of 
libraries  already  established  and  in  29  states  to  maintain  a 
system  of  traveling  libraries  to  aid  in  solving  the  problem  of 
making  free  books  accessible  to  all  the  people. 

Massachusetts  was  the  first  state  to  establish  a  library 
commission,  although  Rhode  Island  claims  priority  in  library 
extension  work,  since  it  began  to  give  state  aid  to  free  pub- 
lic libraries  for  the  purchase  of  books  in  1875.  The  Massa- 
chusetts Commission,  established  in  1890,  was  authorized  to 


6  LIDRABT   CQMMiS>^ION   HAND-BOOK. 

grant  to  any  town  upon  the  establishment  of  a  free  pub- 
lic library,  $ioo.  in  books  to  be  selected  by  the  Commission. 
When  the  law  was  enacted  there  were  105  towns  out  of  352 
without  free  libraries,  and  Massachusetts  now  has  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  the  only  state  in  the  union  which  has  a  pub- 
lic library  in  every  town. 

New  Hampshire  followed  the  next  year,  1891,  by  en- 
acting a  law  nearly  identical  with  the  Massachusetts  law, 
which  gives  $100  to  each  town  founding  a  free  library.  The 
New  Hampshire  Commission  was  instrumental  in  passing  a 
compulsory  library  law,  according  to  which  every  town  must 
levy  a  certain  assessment  to  maintain  a  library;  the  mini- 
mum amount  instead  of  the  maximum  is  prescribed;  if  the 
town  has  no  library,  the  fund  accumulates;  and  if  a  town 
wishes  to  omit  an  assessment,  it  must  especially  vote  to  do  so. 
In  1903,  the  Board  of  Library  Commissioners  was  abolished, 
and  the  work  turned  over  to  the  trustees  of  the  State  Li- 
brary, who  have  assumed  all  the  duties  and  powers  of  the 
former    commission. 

In  1892,  New  York  entered  the  list,  developing  a  sys- 
tem of  state  supervision  of  libraries  with  more  complete 
centralization  than  has  yet  been  attempted  in  any  other  state. 
The  work  has  been  done  by  the  Home  Education  Division 
of  the  University  of  the  State  of  New  York,  the  director 
of  the  State  Library  being  also  director  of  Home  Education, 
so  that  the  two  interests  have  been  identified.  Under  the 
law,  the  regents  of  the  University  were  given  power  to  is- 
sue charters  and  give  financial  aid  to  libraries  which  fulfilled 
certain  conditions.  These  libraries  are  supervised  and  in- 
spected yearly,  and  two  organizers  now  give  their  entire 
time  to  the  work  of  visiting  and  assisting  libraries.  New 
York  was  the  first  state  to  establish  traveling  libraries,  the 
first  libraries  being  sent  out  in  1893. 

The  library  school  is  also  under  the  direction  of  the  De- 
partment of  Education  and  the  director  of  the  State  Li- 
brary. By  the  unification  law  of  1904,  the  Home  Educa- 
tion Division  was  placed  under  the  Department  of  Educa- 
tion and  is  now  called  the  Division  of  Educational  Exten- 
sion. 


HISTORICAL.  SUMMARY.  7 

In  Connecticut,  a  Public  Library  Committee  appointed  by 
the  State  Board  of  Education  was  created  in  1893.  This 
Committee  has  advisory  powers,  and  is  authorized  to  give  di- 
rect financial  aid  to  libraries.  In  1903  an  appropriation  was 
made  for  traveling  libraries,  and  a  library  visitor  was  ap- 
pointed. 

In  1894  Vermont  passed  a  law  similar  to  that  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  in  1900  established  a  system  of  traveling  libra- 
ries, and  appointed  a  secretary  to  make  personal  visits  to 
libraries. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  in  the  beginning  all  the  New  Eng- 
land states,  except  New  York,  followed  Massachusetts  as  a 
model  and  confined  their  work  to  giving  direct  financial  aid 
to  libraries,  the  features  of  traveling  libraries  and  library 
visiting  being  added  later. 

The  Wisconsin  Commission  was  organized  in  1895,  and  be- 
came the  pioneer  and  model  for  work  in  the  West.  Its 
activities  now  include  the  department  of  library  extension 
and  visitation,  the  traveling  library  department,  the  library 
school  opened  in  1906,  and  the  legislative  reference  library. 

In  Ohio,  a  Commission  was  established  in  1896,  to  have 
charge  of  the  State  Library  and  appoint  the  state  librarian. 
Traveling  libraries  are  operated  as  a  department  of  the  State 
Library.  In  1906  an  amendment  to  the  law  authorized  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  library  organizer,  who  began  work  in  the  fall 
of  1908,  when  the  appropriation  became  available. 

The  Georgia  Commission,  established  in  1897,  is  advisory 
only  and  has  had  no  appropriation. 

In  1899,  commissions  were  established  in  seven  states,  two 
more  following  in  1900,  and  five  others  in  .1901.  Of  these 
states,  the  group  in  the  Middle  West — Indiana,  Iowa,  Min- 
nesota and  Nebraska — followed  the  lines  laid  down  by  Wis- 
consin, each  having  a  system  of  traveling  libraries,  and  em- 
phasizing field  work  and  instruction.  Since  the  conditions  and 
problems  of  the  states  in  the  Middle  West  were  found  to  be 
similar,  it  was  believed  that  cooperation  in  publication  of 
necessary  printed  matter  would  be  an  economy.  At  a  con- 
ference of  the  library  commissions  of  Wisconsin,  Iowa  and 
Minnesota,  in  October,  1901,  plans  for  cooperative  work  were 


8  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

discussed,  and  as  a  result,  Wisconsin  contributed  the  Sug- 
gestive list  of  hooks  for  a  small  library,  with  supplementary 
Buying-lists  of  recent  books;  Minnesota  edited  and  published 
the  Handbook  of  library  organisation;  and  the  Quarterly 
published  by  Iowa  was  for  a  time  utilized  by  the  other  states, 
but  after  a  few  issues  this  plan  proved  to  be  impracticable. 
Of  the  Western  states  which  established  commissions  at 
this  time,  Idaho  and  Kansas  confined  their  efforts  to  travel- 
ing libraries,  while  the  Colorado  Commission,  with  no 
regular  appropriation,  has  been  an  advisory  body  only. 

Michigan  aids  in  the  organization  and  extension  of  li- 
braries through  two  agencies:  the  State  Library  has  charge 
of  the  traveling  library  system,  and  supplies  books  to  com- 
munities having  no  libraries;  the  Board  of  Library  Commis- 
sioners are  concerned  with  building  up  town  libraries,  and  to 
this  end  have  a  system  of  registered  free  libraries  to  which 
100  books  are  loaned  for  six  months.  Each  library  in  the 
state,  through  a  mandatory  law,  must  make  a  report  to  its 
county  commissioner  of  schools,  who  in  turn  must  make  a  re- 
port of  every  district,  school  and  public  library  in  his  county 
to  the  Board  of  Library  Commissioners. 

Pennsylvania,  which  established  its  Commission  in  1899, 
has  a  system  of  traveling  libraries  sent  out  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  state  librarian.  In  1907,  a  consulting  librarian 
was  appointed  to  further  the  extension  work.  Of  the  East- 
ern group  of  states,  Maine,  New  Jersey  and  Delaware  fol- 
lowed the  plan  of  their  neighboring  states  in  offering  direct 
financial  aid  to  public  libraries,  all  of  them  adding  the  feature 
of  traveling  libraries.  Maine  held  a  summer  school  in  1904, 
and  again  in  1910.  Delaware  employed  an  organizer  for  a 
time,  and  New  Jersey  has  employed  an  organizer  since  1905, 
and  conducts  a  summer  school. 

In  Maryland  the  State  Library  Commission  encourages 
the  establishment  of  libraries,  and  operates  a  system  of 
traveling  libraries.  An  organizer  is  sent  out  for  a  few  months 
service  when  funds  are  available. 

In  Washington,  a  Commission  was  established  in  1901, 
but  in  1903  the  law  was  changed,  giving  the  Commission 
charge  of  the  State  Library.    By  the  law  of  1907,  the  travel- 


HISTORICAL  SUMMARY.  9 

ing  library  work  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  superintendent 
of  traveling  libraries,  appointed  by  the  Commission,  but  in- 
dependent of  the  State  Library. 

In  1903,  California  established  an  Extension  Department 
of  the  State  Library  to  carry  on  the  various  branches  of 
commission  work. 

The  Colorado  Traveling  Library  Commission  was  created 
in  1903,  and  conducts  a  system  of  traveling  libraries. 

Oregon  joined  the  list  in  1905,  the  law  establishing  this 
Commission  being  in  some  respects  more  comprehensive  than 
any  heretofore  adopted,  in  that  control  of  school  libraries 
is  vested  in  the  Commission.  The  Commission  prepares  the 
list  of  books  for  school  libraries  from  which  selections  must 
be  made  for  purchases  from  the  county  library  fund.  The  Leg- 
islature of  1907  amended  the  Commission  law  in  three  par- 
ticulars— striking  out  the  limit  on  the  printing,  omitting  the 
section  which  apportions  the  funds,  and  increasing  the  appro- 
priation from  $2,000  to  $6,000  a  year. 

No  new  commissions  were  created  in  1906,  but  Virginia 
made  provision  for  enlargement  of  the  work  of  the  State 
Library,  and  inaugurated  a  system  of  traveling  libraries  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  State  Library  Board. 

In  1907,  library  commissions  were  established  in  Missouri 
and  North  Dakota.  In  Missouri,  the  law  authorizes  super- 
vision of  school  libraries  and  courses  of  lectures  on  library 
administration  in  the  Normal  Schools  in  addition  to  the  usual 
lines  of  commission  work.  In  North  Dakota  the  first  work  of 
the  Commission  was  the  reorganization  of  the  system  of 
traveling  libraries  formerly  under  the  Department  of  Pub- 
lic Instruction,  and  the  establishment  of  a  legislative  refer- 
ence department.  In  the  same  year  Alabama  joined  the  ranks 
of  states  providing  support  for  library  work  and  enterprise, 
when  a  law  was  passed  adding  to  the  work  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Archives  and  History,  the  duties  usually  performed 
by  state  library  commissions,  and  providing  for  legislative, 
reference  work. 

In  1909,  legislation  authorizing  library  extension  work 
was  enacted  in  Illinois,  North  Carolina,  Tennessee,  Texas 
and  Utah,  while  in  North  Dakota  the  appropriation  was  in- 


10  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

creased  from  $1,500  to  $7,800  annually,  and  the  law  was 
amended  to  give  a  commission  of  five  members  instead  of 
three,  as  formerly,  and  longer  tenure  of  office. 

In  Illinois,  an  amendment  to  the  library  law  authorized  the 
commissioners  of  the  State  Library  to  appoint  two  persons, 
who,  together  with  the  state  librarian  shall  constitute  the 
Illinois  Library  Extension  Commission.  The  Commission  is 
authorized  to  appoint  a  library  organizer  to  carry  on  the 
usual  lines  of  extension  work,  and  to  operate  a  system  of 
traveling  libraries.  The  appropriation  for  the  work  is  $1,500 
a  year. 

In^North  Carolina,  a  Library  Commission  of  five  members 
was  created  with  the  usual  advisory  powers,  and  authorized 
to  operate  a  system  of  traveling  libraries.  Its  annual  ap- 
propriation is  $1,500. 

The  Tennessee  Free  Library  Commission  was  established 
by  a  similar  law,  with  no  appropriation. 

The  Texas  Library  and  Historical  Commission  was  es- 
tablished to  control  and  administer  the  State  Library,  in 
which  a  legislative  reference  section  is  to  be  maintained, 
and  to  aid  and  encourage  public  libraries,  but  without  the 
necessary  funds  to  carry  on  extension  work. 

In  Utah,  a  promoting  commission  appointed  by  the  Super- 
intendent of  Public  Instruction  in  1907  carried  on  a  suc- 
cessful campaign  of  library  education,  and  in  1909,  a  Library- 
Gymnasium  Commission  of  five  members,  was  established  by 
the  Legislature  to  be  appointed  by  the  State  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, and  to  be  under  its  general  supervision.  Its  purpose  is 
to  encourage  the  establishment  of  free  libraries  and  gymna- 
siums, and  its  appropriation  is  $2,000. 

The  Kentucky  Library  Commission  was  established  in 
1910,  with  an  appropriation  of  $6,000  a  year.  The  law  au- 
thorizes the  usual  methods  of  commission  work,  including  a 
system  of  traveling  libraries,  and  also  provides  that  the  sec- 
retary shall  be  a  person  trained  in  modern  library  methods. 
For  fuller  accounts  of  the  growth  and  development  of  li- 
brary extension  work  through  state  agency,  see  the  pub- 
lications of  the  various  commissions  as  listed  under  each  com- 
mission, as  well  as  the  following: 


HISTORICAL  SUMMARY.  11 

^Tublic  Libraries,  February  1905. 

(A  Library  Commission  number  containing:  State  aid  to  li- 
braries, by  Gratia  A.  Countryman;  Instructional  work  of  libra- 
ry commissions,  by  Alice  S.  Tyler;  Reports  of  Commissions;  Val- 
ue and  work  of  a  state  library  organizer,  by  W.  R.  Eastman; 
Synopsis  of  laws  authorizing  library  commissions,  by  Johnson 
Brigham.  This  number  was  the  first  attempt  to  collect  in  one 
place  data  regarding  the  various  commissions,  and  became  the 
basis  for  the  Year-book  of  the  League.) 

Brigham     Model    library   commission    law.   Lib.    J.   30 : 

C  46-50. 
•^Countryman    .     Lines  of  work  which  a  state  commission  can 
profitably  undertake.  Lib.  J.  25 :  C  Si-54. 
•■^jalbreath    Cooperation  of  state  librarians  and  state  li- 
brary commissions.  Lib.  J.  25 :  C  54-57. 
[ewins     Work  of  an  Eastern  library  commission.  Lib. 

y  J.   30:    C    51-55. 

•^angton    What  a  permanent  library  commission  can  do 

to  aid  libraries.  Pub.  Lib.  9:  212-16. 

Legler    State  library  commissions.  Lib.  J.  30 :  C  40-45. 

Stearns     How  to  organize  state   library  commissions 

and  make  state  aid  effective.  Lib.  J.  24:  C 

16-18. 
Thomson    How  to  secure  a  state  library  commission. 

Lib.  J.  26 :  C  191. 
Tyler    Work  of  library  extension  in  Iowa.  Pub.  Lib^ 

9:  296-99. 


^t 


12  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 


LEAGUE  OF  LIBRARY  COMMISSIONS. 

The  success  of  the  experiment  in  cooperation  which  was 
inaugurated  in  1901  by  the  library  commissions  of  Wiscon- 
sin, Minnesota  and  Iowa,  led  to  the  suggestion  that  a  na- 
tional organization  might  more  economically  carry  forward 
cooperative  work.  Printed  matter  of  common  interest  and 
value  to  these  commissions  could  thus  be  issued  jointly, 
leaving  to  the  overcrowded  state  commission  workers  more 
time  and  money  for  the  problems  peculiar  to  each  state. 

A  preliminary  conference  representing  four  library  com- 
missions of  the  Middle  West  was  held  in  Chicago,  August  12, 
1904,  to  discuss  the  advisability  of  an  organization  of  library 
commissions.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  sug- 
gestive plan  as  to  organization  and  methods  of  cooperative 
work.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Commissions'  Section  of  the 
A.  L.  A.,  October  21,  1904,  during  the  St.  Louis  conference, 
the  committee  made  a  report  based  on  the  experiments  in  co- 
operation in  the  Middle  West,  and  on  the  replies  received 
from  letters  sent  to  the  various  commissions.  It  was  the 
unanimous  opinion  of  those  present  that  a  League  of  Li- 
brary Commissions  should  be  organized.  This  organization 
was  therefore  at  once  effected  by  the  creation  of  an  executive 
board  composed  of  one  member  from  each  of  the  ten 
states  represented  at  that '  meeting,  as  follows :  Connecticut, 
Indiana,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  Nebraska,  New  Jersey,  New  York, 
Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  Wisconsin. 

The  Board  organized  immediately  by  the  election  of  Mr. 
Henry  E.  Legler,  Wisconsin,  as  chairman,  and  Miss  Alice  S. 
Tyler,  Iowa,  as  secretary.  An  executive  committee  was  se- 
lected from  the  states  represented  to  formulate  a  cooperative 
plan  of  work.  This  committee  consisted  of  the  chairman, 
secretary  and  four  additional  members.  Miss  Marvin,  Wis- 
consin;  Miss  Hoagland,  Indiana;  Miss  Bullock,  Nebraska, 
and  Miss  Baldwin,  Minnesota. 


LEAGUE  OF  LIBRARY  COMMISSIONS.  13 

At  a  meeting  of  this  committee  in  Chicago,  November  28 
and  29,  plans  were  considered  for  the  immediate  preparation 
and  issue  of  a  new  edition  of  the  Suggestive  list  of  books 
for  a  small  library  and  for  the  continuation  of  the  Buying 
list  of  recent  books,  as  the  most  urgent  needs  of  the  commis- 
sions. The  executive  committee  also  prepared,  in  the  form 
of  resolutions,  a  suggested  plan  for  cooperation  with  the  A. 
L,  A.  Publishing  Board  in  the  issuance  of  some  of  its  pub- 
lications. 

In  January,  1905,  the  A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board  began 
the  publication  of  the  A.  L.  A.  Book-list,  and  the  Executive 
Board  of  the  League  assured  the  Publishing  Board  of  its 
support  in  that  undertaking  by  its  adoption  by  the  com- 
missions for  use  in  the  respective  states.  The  Buying  list 
which  had  formerly  been  compiled  by  the  Wisconsin  Com- 
mission for  the  use  of  the  commissions  of  the  Middle  West 
was   therefore   discontinued. 

At  this  time  no  definite  arrangements  could  be  made  with 
the  Publishing  Board  for  other  publications,  and  accordingly 
the  League  proceeded  with  the  publication  of  the  Suggestive 
list  of  books  for  a  small  library,  compiled  by  Miss  Cornelia 
Marvin,  then  of  the  Wisconsin  Commission,  and  the  second 
edition  of  the  pamphlet  on  U.  S.  Government  documents  in 
small  libraries,  by  J.  L  Wyer,  Jr. 

During  the  Portland  meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A.,  a  conference 
was  held  between  representatives  of  the  Publishing  Board 
and  the  Executive  Board  of  the  League  to  discuss  methods 
of  cooperation.  The  needs  of  the  commissions  for  certain 
printed  matter  were  fully  conceded  by  the  members  of  the 
Publishing  Board  and  it  was  recognized  that  in  supplying 
these  the  Board  would  be  complying  with  the  condition  of 
Mr.  Carnegie's  gift  of  $100,000  to  the  A.  L.  A.,  "the  income 
of  which  should  be  applied  to  the  preparation  and  publica- 
tion of  such  reading  lists,  indexes,  and  other  bibliographical 
and  library  aids  as  would  be  specially  useful  in  the  circu- 
lating libraries  of  the  country."  At  the  regular  meeting 
of  the  Publishing  Board  held  in  October,  1905,  it  was  agreed 
that  the  Board  would  publish  any  material  furnished  by  the 
League. 


14  LIBRARY    COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Commissions  section  of  the  A.  L. 
A.  at  Portland  the  organization  of  the  League  was  approved 
by  that  section,  and  it  was  unanimously  voted  with  the  ap- 
proval of  the  A.  L.  A.  Council,  that  the  League  of  Li- 
brary Commissions  as  affiliated  with  the  A.  L.  A.  be  sub- 
stituted for  the  Library  Commissions  section. 

A  meeting  of  the  Executive  Board  was  held  in  Indian- 
apolis, Dec.  13-14,  1905,  when  final  consideration  was  given 
to  the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  League  and  the  sub- 
ject of  the  publications  of  the  League  and  A.  L.  A.  Pub- 
lishing Board  was  fully  discussed. 

Regular  annual  meetings  of  the  League  since  its  or- 
ganization as  an  affiliated  body  with  the  A.  L.  A.  have  been 
held  each  year  in  conjunction  with  the  A.  L.  A.  conference. 
The  mid-winter  meeting  of  the  Executive  Board,  held  in 
Chicago  about  the  first  of  January  "each  year,  has  developed 
into  an  informal  conference  of  commission  workers  and 
others  interested  in  extension  work,  for  a  discussion  of  com- 
mission problems.  Mid-winter  conferences  of  library  com- 
missions of  the  Eastern  states  were  held  in  Hartford, 
Conn.,  in  1909,  and  1910,  and  in  Albany,  N.  Y.  in  1910. 

Twenty-six  states  are  now  members  of  the  League,  in- 
cluding Alabama,  California,  Connecticut,  Delaware,  Georgia, 
Illinois,  Indiana,  Iowa,  Kentucky,  Massachusetts,  Michigan,, 
Minnesota,  Missouri,  Nebraska,  New  Jersey,  New  York, 
North  Carolina,  North  Dakota,  Ohio,  Oregon,  Pennsylvania, 
Rhode  Island,  Tennessee,  Vermont,  Washington  and  Wiscon- 
sin. 

For  further  information  regarding  the  history  and  work 
of  the  League,  see : 
Affiliation   with   A.    L.   A.   Lib.  J.   30:    C   192-94.    Pub.   Lib. 

10:  415. 
Tyler.   League  of  Library   Commissions,  Lib.  J.  30:  274-77. 
Annual   meeting,    Narragansett,    1906.   Lib.  J.   31 :    C  282-84. 

Asheville,   1907.  A.  L.  A.  Bulletin,   i :  231-45.  Lib.  J. 

32:  318-21.  Pub.  Lib.   12:  279. 

Lake    Minnetonka,    1908.    A.    L.   A.    Bulletin.   2:    305- 

17.  Lib.  J.  33:  2']']-'/^.  Pub.  Lib.   13:  276-80. 


LEAGUE    PUBLICATIONS.  15 

Bretton  Woods,  1909.  A.  L.   A.   Bulletin.  3:  337-355. 

Lib.  J.  34:  359-362.  Pub.  Lib.  14:  313. 

Mackinac   Island,    1910.   A.   L.   A.    Bulletin.   4    (Pro- 

ceedings number)   Lib.  J.  35:  317-318.  Pub.  Lib. 
15:  352. 
Midwinter    meeting,    Indianapolis,    December    1905.    Lib.    J. 
31:   27. 

Chicago,  January,   1907.  Lib.  J.  32:   76-77.   Pub.  Lib. 

12:   67. 

Chicago,  January,   1908.  Lib.  J.  33:   59-62.   Pub.   Lib. 

13 :  49-53. 

Chicago,  January,  1909.  Lib.  J.  34:  63-64.  Pub.  Lib. 

14:  65-66. 

Chicago,  January,  1910.  Lib.  J.  35:  69.  Pub.  Lib.  15: 

72-74. 

Hartford,  February,  1909,  Pub.  Lib.  14:  150. 

Hartford,  January,  1910.  Lib.  J.  35 :  122. 

Albany,  February,  1910.  Lib.  J.  35:  28.  Pub.  Lib.  15: 

132. 

Publications. 
(Arranged  chronologically) 

U.    S.    Government    documents   in    small    libraries;    by  J.    I. 

Wyer,  Jr.,  Ed.  2.  May,  1905.  (o.  p.) 
(New  ed.  issued  by  A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board,  1910) 
Siiggestive   list   of   books   for   a   small   library;   compiled  by 

Cornelia    Marvin.    Part    i,    Adults.    June,    1905. 

(o.  p.) 
Year-book   of   library   commissions;    compiled    by    Clara   F. 

Baldwin,  May,  1906.   (o.  p.) 

May,  1907.   (o.  p.) 

December,   1908.    (o.  p.) 

Magazines  for  the  small  library;  by  Katharine  MacDonald 
Jones,  1908.  (o.  p.) 

New  ed.  1909.  Paper,  10  cents. 

Anniversaries  and  holidays;  ed.  by  Mary  Emogene  Hazel- 
tine,  April,  1909.  Paper,  25  cents. 

Report  of  committee  on  essentials  of  a  model  commission 
law,  1909.  Free. 


16  LIBRARY  COMMISSION  HAND-BOOK. 

Report  of  committee  on  commission  work  in  state  institu- 
tions, 1909.  Free. 

Handbook  of  library  commissions;  compiled  by  Clara  F. 
Baldwin,  December,  1910.  Paper,  25  cents. 

Publications  Reprinted  by  the  League. 

Report  on  standards  of  library  training,  by  A.  L.  A.  Com- 
mittee, 1905.   (o.  p.) 
The  organization  of  a  library  in  a  small  town,  by  Elizabeth 

D.  Renninger,    1906.    (o.   p.) 

How  shall  a  small  town  make  a  library  beginning?  by  Alice 

S.  Tyler,  1906.   (o.  p.) 
Buffalo    Public    Library    Graded    list   of   books    for    schools. 

1909.    (League   ed.   o.  p.) 
Buying  list  of  books  for  small  libraries;  compiled  by  Zaidee 

Brown.  1910.   (League  ed.  o.  p.) 
Graded  list  of  stories  for  reading  aloud ;  compiled  by  Harriot 

E,  Hassler.  New  ed.  1910.  Paper,   10  cents. 

Publications  Issued  for  the  League  by  the 
A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board. 

Small  library  buildings,  compiled  by  Cornelia  Marvin,  $1.25. 
Foreign  Book  Lists; — German,  50c.  Norwegian  and  Danish, 

25c.   Swedish,  25c. 
Library  Tract  No.   10.   Why  do   we  need  a  public  library? 
Material    for    a    library    campaign,    by    Chalmers 
Hadley.  5c. 
Library  Handbooks,  15c  each. 
3     Management    of    traveling    libraries,    by    Edna    D. 
Bullock. 

6  Mending    and    repair    of    books,    by    Margaret    W. 

Brown. 

7  U.  S.  Government  documents  in  small  libraries,  by 

J.  L   Wyer,  Jr. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  LEAGUE.  17 

LEAGUE  OF  LIBRARY  COMMISSIONS. 
CONSTITUTION. 


Name.  The  name  of  this  organization  shall  be  League 
of  Library  Commissions. 

2 

Object.  The  object  of  the  League  shall  be  to  pro- 
mote, by  cooperation,  such  library  interests  as  are  within 
the  province  of  library  supervision  by  the  state. 

3 

Membership.  Any  state  commission,  board,  bureau, 
department,  or  other  official  organization  charged  with  the 
duty  of  promoting  library  interests  in  the  state  where  it  is 
located,  either  by  means  of  traveling  libraries  or  the  estab- 
lishment, organization  and  supervision  of  public  libraries, 
shall  be  eligible  to  membership  upon  compliance  with  the 
conditions  hereinafter  enumerated. 

Each  organization  admitted  to  active  membership  shall 
have  one  vote  through  an  accredited  representative  (prefer- 
ably an  executive  officer)  on  any  subject  requiring  action  at 
any  meeting;  but  any  member  or  officer  of  such  commission, 
board  or  department  may  attend  the  meetings  of  the  League 
and  share  in  its  deliberations. 

4 
Officers.     The   officers    of   the   League    shall   be    pres- 
ident,   1st   and   2nd   vice-presidents,    and    secretary-treasurer, 
who  shall  be  elected  at  the  annual  meeting  and  shall  serve 
until  election  of  their  successors. 

5 

Executive   Board.      Except    when    the    League    is    in 

session,  its  affairs  shall  be  in  the  hands  of  an  Executive 
Board  consisting  of  the  officers  named  in  Section  4  and  the 
members  of  the  Publication  Committee,  as  hereinafter  pro- 
vided. Any  vacancy  occurring  during  the  year  shall  be  filled 
by  the  remaining  members  of  the  Executive  Board. 


18  LIBRARY  COMMISSION  HAND-BOOK. 

The  Executive  Board  shall  arrange  for  the  printing  of 
such  publications  as  may  be  found  most  useful  in  commis- 
sion work,  and  shall  fix  the  price  at  which  material  pub- 
lished by  the  League  may  be  sold. 

Votes  of  the  Executive  Board  may  be  taken  by  correspond- 
ence, a  majority  vote  being  necessary  to  give  validity  to  any 
action  so  taken. 

The  Executive  Board  of  the  League  shall  prepare  pro- 
grams, select  topics  and  assign  speakers  for  the  annual  meet- 
ing and  make  all  the  necessary  arrangements  therefor. 


Committees.  There  shall  be  a  Publication  Committee 
of  three  members  who  shall  secure  suitable  material  re- 
quired in  printed  form  for  field  work  and  in  the  organiza- 
tion and  equipment  of  libraries. 

Standing  committees  and  special  committees  not  otherwise 
provided  for  shall  be  appointed  by  the  president. 


Dues.  The  payment  of  a  yearly  membership  fee  of  five 
dollars  ($5.00)  shall  constitute  active  membership,  such  mem- 
bers being  entitled  to  secure  League  publications  at  cost 
and  to  exercise  the  voting  privilege  as  specified  in  Section  3. 
Associate  members  paying  no  dues  shall  be  charged  regular 
price  for  League  publications  but  may  participate  in  delib- 
erations without  a  vote. 

8 

Amiual  Meeting.  The  annual  meeting  of  the 
League  shall  be  held  at  the  time  and  place  of  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A. 


Affiliation.    The    League    shall    be    affiliated   with    the 
A.  L.  A.  in  accordance  with  its  constitution  and  by-laws. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  LEAGUE.  19 

10 

By-Laws.  The  Board  may  adopt  by-laws  for  the 
League  subject  to  such  amendment  as  may  be  voted  at  the 
annual  meeting. 

II 

Amendments.  Amendments  to  this  constitution  may 
be  adopted  at  any  annual  meeting  of  the  League  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote  of  those  present  entitled  to  vote;  provided  that 
notice  shall  have  been  given,  by  correspondence,  to  all  mem- 
bers of  the  League  at  least  two  months  prior  to  such  annual 
meeting;  or  in  lieu  thereof,  that  the  amendment  shall  have 
received  the  unanimous  approval  of  the  Executive  Board. 


LIBRARY  COMMISSION  HAND-BOOK. 


ORGANIZATION  AND  ACTIVITIES  OF 
COMMISSIONS. 


Alabama 

The  work  of  public  and  school  library  extension,  and  al- 
lied activities,  such  as  are  usually  performed  by  library  com- 
missions, is  carried  on  under  the  direction  of  a  Library 
Extension  Division  of  the  State  Department  of  Archives  and 
History,  with  headquarters  in  the  State  Capitol,  Montgomery, 
authorized  by  act  approved  March  5,  1907,  and  put  in  opera- 
tion June  I,  1907. 

Library    Legislation.  Library    legislation    in    Ala- 

bama is  quite  limited,  and  yet  it  is  sufficiently  comprehensive 
to  meet  the  needs  of  practically  unlimited  expansion,  with 
the  single  exception  of  appropriations  for  direct  aid.  These 
laws  may  be  grouped  as  (i)  the  statutory  provisions  for  the 
organization  and  support  of  a  State  and  Supreme  Court 
Library;  (2)  the  maintenance  of  historical  and  legislative 
reference  collections  by  the  Department  of  Archives  and 
History;  (3)  a  very  few  special  acts  incorporating  local 
library  associations;  (4)  provision  for  unlimited  municipal 
support;  (5)  the  legislation  for  the  organization  of  the  Li- 
brary Extension  Division.  The  following  is  the  very  com- 
prehensive and  elastic  provision  requiring  the  organization 
of  this  Division : 

"It  shall  encourage  and  assist  in  the  establishment  of 
public  and  school  libraries,  and  in  the  improvement  and 
strengthening  of  those  already  in  existence;  it  shall  give 
advice  and  provide  assistance  to  libraries  and  library  work- 
ers in  library  administration,  methods  and  economy;  and  it 
shall  conduct  a  system  of  traveling  libraries." 


ALABAMA.  21 

Advisory  and  Promotion  Work.  The  efforts  of  the 
Division,  from  its  very  beginning,  have  been  directed 
to  arousing  and  shaping  public  opinion  throughout  the  state 
looking  to  the  establishment  of  new  public  and  school  libra- 
ries, as  well  as  to  the  strengthening  of  those  already  in  ex- 
istence. This  has  been  done  through  correspondence,  public 
addresses,  and  personal  visits  and  advice  on  the  part  of  the 
Director  and  the  assistant  in  charge  of  the  Library  Exten- 
sion Division.  The  Division  responds  to  all  reasonable  calls 
for  assistance  in  the  matter  of  advice  and  help  in  develop- 
ing interest.  The  press,  the  club  women,  and  heads  of  educa- 
tional institutions  have  been  valuable  allies  in  the  move- 
ment. There  has  always  been  a  very  close  affiliation  between 
the  Alabama  Library  Association  and  the  Library  Extension 
Division  of  the  state.  The  office  of  the  extension  division 
is  headquarters  of  the  Association  and  the  work  of  each  is 
cooperative  with  that  of  the  other. 

Instruction.  Beginning  in  1908,  the  Division  has 
conducted  a  five  weeks  summer  course  in  library  training, 
which  will  be  offered  each  year. 

Through  correspondence,  advice,  in  so  far  as  it  is  possible, 
is  given  on  all  subjects  of  library  administration,  methods  and 
economy  to  Alabama  librarians  and  library  workers. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  first  traveling  library 
went  out  Nov.  4,  1907.  Stations  have  been  established  main- 
ly in  rural  communities  and  schools.  During  1910,  the  Divi- 
sion acquired  by  gift  about  one  hundred  books  printed  in 
type  for  the  blind.  This  forms  the  nucleus  of  a  collection 
for  circulation  among  the  blind  readers  of  the  state. 

Publications: 
Laws  governing  the  Department  of  Archives  and  His- 
tory, 1907. 
Library  Extension  Circular. 


22  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Executive  Staff: 

Thomas  M.  Owen,  Director,  Alabama  State  Depart- 
ment of  Archives  and  History,  Montgomery. 

Miss  Tommie  Dora  Barker,  Library  Extension  As- 
sistant, Montgomery. 


California 

The  California  State  Library  carries  on  the  work  which 
in  many  states  is  under  the  supervision  of  a  public  library 
commission.  Formerly  the  headquarters  of  the  extension 
work  was  the  Extension  Department,  but  now  every  depart- 
ment of  the  library  is  active  along  extension  lines.  The 
counties,  too,  are  cooperating  in  the  work  since  the  county 
library  law  was  passed  and  ten  counties  are  already  doing 
some  of  the  work  for  their  territory  that  was  at  first  handled 
from  the  State  Library.  The  changes  are  made  in  an  at- 
tempt to  develope  the  most  economical  system  possible  for 
the  existing  conditions  in  California. 

Branches  of  the  State  Library.  An  act  passed 
by  the  Legislature  of  1909  makes  it  possible  for  the 
State  Library  to  establish  branches  and  as  soon  as  the  State 
Library  fund  allows  they  will  be  established  in  San  Fran- 
cisco and  Los  Angeles. 

Organizing.  Library  organizers  are  employed  to  in- 
vestigate library  conditions,  to  encourage  the  establishment 
of  libraries,  to  visit  those  already  established,  to  give  advice 
and  assistance  to  libraries  throughout  the  state,  to  consult 
with  trustees  and  architects  regarding  library  buildings  and 
to  explain  to  the  people  generally  the  plan  for  the  library 
development  in  California.  This  assistance  is  all  given  free 
by  the  State  Library. 

Instruction.  The  State  Library  held  an  institute  at 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  California  Library  Association 
held  in  San  Jose  in  1908  and  also  at  the  annual  meeting  in 


CALIFORNIA.  23 

Long  Beach  in  April,  1910.  In  this  way  something  has  been 
done  toward  helping  those  librarians  who  have  problems 
unsolved.  The  head  of  the  Catalog  Department  of  the 
State  Library  was  the  head  instructor  at  the  institute  in  1910. 
The  State  Library  and  all  others  interested  will  make  ev- 
ery effort  to  have  some  sort  of  library  school  established  as 
soon  as  possible. 

Traveling  Libraries.  From  the  Traveling  Libraries 
Division  of  the  Extension  Department,  fixed  groups 
of  50  volumes  each  are  loaned  to  any  community  without  a 
public  library,  on  application  of  five  resident  tax  payers. 
There  is  no  charge  for  the  use  of  the  libraries  and  trans- 
portation both  ways  is  paid  by  the  State  Library.  A  li- 
brary may  be  kept  three  months,  and  by  special  permission 
the  time  may  be  extended  three  months  longer. 

These  libraries  have  either  created  a  demand  for  books 
in  remote  communities  and  other  communities  without  li- 
braries, or  they  have  proved  without  doubt  that  the  demand 
exists.  So  that  very  soon  a  very  much  more  economical 
way  of  supplying  this  sort  of  books  and  of  meeting  the 
rapidly  growing  demand  for  more  books  will  be  worked 
out  for  the  state.  The  county  free  library  system  as  tried 
for  the  last  two  years  in  Sacramento  county  and  a  shorter 
time  in  eight  other  counties,  shows  already  that  it  will  solve 
this  problem  most  satisfactorily. 

Clubs  and  Granges.  Collections  of  books  for  study 
purposes  are  sent  to  any  club  or  grange  upon  applica- 
tion of  two  resident  taxpayers.  As  these  books  are  selected 
from  the  main  collection  of  the  State  Library,  the  work  is  car- 
ried on  entirely  by  the  Reference  Department.  No  fee  is 
charged  and  transportation  both  ways  is  paid  by  the  State  Li- 
brary. Books  may  be  kept  three  months,  and  by  special  per- 
mission the  time  may  be  extended. 

The  reference  librarian  is  sent  to  meetings  of  clubs  and 
granges  to  explain  what  those  organizations  can  get  from 
the  State  Library. 


24  LIBRARY    COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Legislative  Reference  Department.  The  legislative 
reference  work  is  carried  on  by  the  legislative  and 
municipal  reference  department  of  the  library.  This  depart- 
ment also  cooperates  with  the  Reference  Department  in 
furnishing  material  to  the  high  schools  and  clubs  for  their 
debates. 

Books  for  the  Blind.  Embossed  books  in  any  type 
requested,  samples  of  appliances,  games,  etc.,  are  sent  to 
any  blind  resident  of  the  state — and  many  outside  the  state — 
upon  application  to  the  Books  for  the  Blind  Division  of  the 
Extension  Department.  Books  for  the  blind  are  also  loaned  to 
free  public  libraries  or  reading  rooms,  in  collections  of  from 
ten  to  twenty-five  books,  upon  application  from  the  trustees 
of  such  library  or  reading  room,  if  there  will  be  at  least  five 
borrowers  to  make  use  of  them.  The  books  may  be  kept 
two  months,  and  the  transportation  is  paid  both  ways  by  the 
State   Library. 

School  Libraries.  The  State  Library  has  not  un- 
dertaken to  assist  the  school  libraries.  Those  interested  be- 
lieve that  the  county  library  system  with  a  branch  or  de- 
posit station  in  each  school  will  most  successfully  solve  the 
question  of  school  libraries  in  this  state. 

Publications: 

Libraries  of  California,  1904. 

News  notes  of  California  libraries.  May,  1906-  date. 

The  California  State  Library  is  yours. 

County  library  system  for  California. 
Extension  Department. 

Circular   no.    i    Rules   for  lending  traveling  libraries. 

Finding  lists  1-47. 
Books  for  the  Blind  Division. 

Circular  and  finding  list.    3d  ed. 
Public  Libraries  Division. 

Circular  no.  i  Why  a  town  should  incorporate. 


COLORADO.  25 

Law  Department. 
Library  laws  of  California,  1909. 
Legislative  and  Municipal  Reference  Department. 
Legislative  reference  bulletin  no.  i     Hints  for  drawing 
legislative  bills. 

-no.  2  "River  improvement  laws  in  other  states  and 

countries. 

Board  of  Trustees: 

W.  C.  Van  Fleet,  President,  San  Francisco. 
Allen  B.  Lemmon,  Santa  Rosa. 
Bradner  W.  Lee,  Los  Angeles. 
R.  M.  Richardson,  Sacramento. 
Charles  S.  Greene,  Oakland. 

Library  Staff: 
James  L.  Gillis,  State  Librarian,  Sacramento. 
Milton  J.  Ferguson,  Assistant  Librarian. 
Miss  Laura  Steffens,  2d  Asst.  Librarian,  in  charge  of  Ex- 
tension Department. 
Miss  Mabel  R.  Gillis,  ist  Asst.  in  Extension  Department. 
Miss  Elizabeth  C.  Haines,  Assistant. 
Miss  Mary  V.  Provines,  Assistant. 
Miss  Bertha  Kumli,  Library  Organizer. 
Miss  Harriet  G.  Eddy,  County  Library  Organizer. 


Colorado 

The  Board  of  Library  Commissioners  gives  advice  upon 
library  matters  through  the  Denver  Public  Library  and  the 
publication  of  the  library  laws  of  the  state  has  led  to  the  es- 
tablishment of  libraries  in  a  number  of  towns. 

The  Board  has  had  no  regular  appropriation,  and  has 
no  employees. 


26  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Publications: 
Colorado  library  laws. 
Colorado  state  documents  check  list.  (In  preparatioiT.) 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Charles  R.   Dudley,  President,   Public  Library,  Denver. 

George  M.  Lee,  Secretary,  Denver. 

Edwin  H.  Park. 

Harper   Leiper. 

Alfred  E.  Whitaker,  Boulder. 

The  Colorado  Traveling  Libraries'  Commission  was  es- 
tablished in  1903,  through  the  efforts  of  the  Colorado  Federa- 
tion of  Women's  Clubs,  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  and 
developing  the  system  of  traveling  libraries  which  had  been 
inaugurated  by  the  Federation  in  1899. 

The  law  provides  that  all  members  of  the  Commission 
shall  be  women,  appointed  by  the  governor  from  a  list  submit- 
ted by  the  Executive  board  of  the  Federation. 

Traveling  Libraries  are  loaned  without  charge  to 
any  town  in  the  state  upon  application,  the  person  to  whom 
the  box  is  sent  being  personally  responsible  for  their  safe  re- 
turn at  the  end  of  six  months. 

The  libraries  are  of  three  kinds:  (i)  Miscellaneous 
collections  of  50  volumes  each,  intended  for  the  use  of  the 
general  public;  (2)  Juvenile  libraries  of  50  volumes  each,  for 
use  in  country  schools,  Sunday  schools  and  the  industrial 
schools,  and  (3)  Small  collections  of  reference  books  for  the 
use  of  clubs  and  study  classes. 

The  Commission  distributes  boxes  of  magazines  and  paper 
bound  books  to  farmers,  mill-men,  railroad-men,  hospitals,  en- 
gine houses,  stations,  jails,  reformatories  and  prisons.  These 
are  not  returned  but  are  used  and  passed  on  until  worn  out. 
Through  the  cooperation  of  the  club  women  in  the  different 
towns  throughout  the  state  the  work  of  establishing  a  chain 
of  library  stations  for  the  distribution  of  periodicals  has  been 
undertaken.  Leaflets  for  the  sick,  which  are  short  stories  tak- 
en from  magazines  and  mounted,  are  sent  to  hospitals,  relief 
corps,  aid  societies  and  branches  of  the  Sunshine  Society. 


CONNECTICUT.  27 

Publications : 
Biennial  reports,  1906-  date. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Mrs.  Julia  V.  Welles,  President,  Denver. 

,  Vice-President. 

Mrs.  James  D.  Whitmore,  Secretary,  Denver. 
Mrs.  B.  F.  Stickley,  Historian,  Leadville. 
Mrs.  Z.  X.   Snyder,  Reader,  Greeley. 

Executive  Officer: 
Miss  Carrie  M.  Gushing,  Transportation  Clerk,  Capitol 
Building,  Denver. 


Connecticut 

The  Free  Public  Library  Committee  revises  book-lists 
sent  by  towns,  and  spends  the  state  grant  to  the  best  of  its 
ability,  gives  advice  and  assistance  to  librarians  and  teachers, 
tries  to  establish  new  libraries  and  make  subscription  libra- 
ries free,  holds  neighborhood  meetings,  publishes  documents 
and  book-lists,  and  circulates  traveling  libraries,  bird  charti 
and  pictures,  framed  and  unframed. 

Advisory  Work.  The  first  work  of  the  Public  Library 
Committee  of  Connecticut  was  to  issue  circulars  of  informa- 
tion explaining  the  library  law  and  its  provision  for  state 
aid  to  public  libraries.  Members  of  the  Committee  have 
visited  many  towns  to  make  addresses  on  the  advantages  of 
the  library.  In  1903,  an  official  visitor  and  inspector  of  li- 
braries was  appointed,  who  visits  the  libraries  to  confer  with 
the  librarian,  to  offer  suggestions  for  improvement,  and  to 
report  to  the  Committee  on  conditions.  The  Committee  also 
issues  lists  of  books,  other  documents,  and  revises  the  book- 
lists sent  by  the  towns  applying  for  state  aid. 

Instruction.  Institutes,  or  neighborhood  meetings,  as 
they  are  called,  are  held  at  irregular  intervals,  at  points  where 


28  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

there  seems  to  be  special  need  or  opportunity.  These  in- 
clude eight  or  ten  towns,  and  lessons  in  mending  and  re- 
pairing and  simple  talks  on  cataloging,  classification,  the  use 
of  pictures,  work  with  children,  etc.,  are  given.  Suggestions 
for  small  libraries  have  been  published. 

Organizing.  At  the  expense  of  the  Public  Library 
Committee,  the  visitor  and  inspector  spends  as  much  time  as 
is  possible  with  small  libraries  in  directing  the  cataloging. 
Sometimes  a  cataloger  is  sent  to  assist  in  the  work. 

Direct  Aid.  If  the  town  appropriates  $200  or  less  for 
the  establishment  of  a  public  library,  the  state  will  give  an 
equal  amount  in  books.  If  a  town  appropriates  $100  or  less 
annually  for  the  maintenance  of  a  public  library,  the  state 
will  give  an  equal  amount  in  books.  The  lists  of  books  sent 
in  by  the  town  are  revised  and  approved  by  the  committee, 
before  the  grant  is  allowed. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  traveling  libraries  consist  of 
libraries  of  a  general  character,  circulated  among  neighbor- 
hoods and  public  libraries ;  libraries  for  school  use,  circulated 
among  schools;  libraries  on  special  subjects,  accompanied  by 
pictures,  loaned  to  clubs  and  libraries;  libraries  in  foreign 
languages,  circulated  among  neighborhoods  and  libraries,  and 
home  libraries  loaned  to  individuals  and  families.  In  addition 
to  the  collections  owned  by  the  Committee,  libraries  loaned 
by  the  Connecticut  Society  of  Colonial  Dames,  the  Connecticut 
Audubon  Society  and  by  women's  clubs  and  individuals  are 
circulated  among  neighborhoods  and  schools. 

The  Committee  also  has  a  large  collection  of  miscellaneous 
pictures,  framed  and  unframed,  a  part  owned  by  the  Com- 
mittee, and  a  part  loaned  by  the  Connecticut  Society  of  Co- 
lonial Dames,  which  are  circulated  among  schools  and  libraries. 

School  Libraries.  School  libraries  in  Connecticut  have 
a  grant  from  the  state  and  are  permitted  to  buy  books  through 
the  Public  Library  Committee. 

The   Society   of    Colonial   Dames   circulates   through   the 


CONNECTICUT.  29 

Committee,  traveling  libraries  and  portfolios  of  pictures  to 
schools.  The  libraries  are  sent  to  schools,  express  paid,  and 
may  be  retained  three  months.  The  books  are  sent  in  a  box 
which  may  be  used  as  a  book-case  in  the  school  room.  As  a 
condition  of  this  loan,  the  teacher  is  required  to  keep  a  record 
of  circulation. 

The  Audubon  Society  sends  out  libraries,  portfolios  and 
sets  of  bird-charts  to  schools. 

Publications: 

Reports,  1893-1894,  1897-1900. 

(Reports  for  other  years  are  included  in  the  reports 
of  the  State  Board  of  Education.) 
Annual  lists  of  books,  1897-1903. 
Monthly  book-list,  1904-1907. 

What  a  free  library  does  for  a  country  town,  1894. 
Circular  relating  to  public  libraries,  1894-1897. 
Method  of  obtaining  state  grant  to  public  libraries,  1902, 

1904. 
Traveling   school    libraries    loaned   by    Colonial    Dames, 

1902,   1904,   1909. 
Pictures  loaned  to  schools  by  Colonial  Dames,  1902, 1903. 
Books  on  the  Far  East,  1904. 

Address  at  the  reopening  of  the  Acton  Library,  Old  Say- 
brook,  June,  30,  1904,  by  Rev.  Samuel  Hart,  D.  D. 
The  development  of  public  libraries  within  the  bounds 

of  the  old  New  Haven  Colony,  1904. 
The  public  library  and  its  critics,  1906. 
List  of  public  library  directors,  1906. 
A  selected  list  of  literature  relating  to  American  forests 

and  forestry,  1906. 
List  of  pictures,  framed  and  unframed,  to  be  loaned  to 

schools  and  libraries,  1906. 
Grange  traveling  libraries,  series  B  and  series  C. 
Helps  in  library  work  with  children,  1909. 
Novels  and  children's  stories  of  1908-9. 
Thanksgiving  references,  1909. 
Address   of   Simeon   E.   Baldwin,   at  the   laying   of  the 

corner-stone  of  the  Cotinecticut  state  library,  May  25, 

1909. 


30  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Members  of  the  Committee: 

Charles  D.  Hine,  Chairman*  Hartford. 

Miss  Caroline  M.  Hewins,  Secretary,  Hartford. 

H.  A.  Tirrell,  Norwich. 

Edwin  B.  Gager,  Derby. 

Storrs  O.  Seymour,  Litchfield. 

Executive  Officer: 

Mrs.  Belle  Holcomb  Johnson,  Visitor  and  Inspector  of 
libraries,  State  House,  Hartford. 


Delaware 

The  State  Library  Commission  was  established  in  IQOI, 
to  promote  the  establishment  and  efficiency  of  free  public  li- 
braries in  incorporated  towns.  In  1903  the  law  regarding  the 
establishment  of  public  libraries  was  amended  so  that  now 
it  is  possible  for  any  school  district  in  the  state  to  establish  a 
public  library.  The  Commission  has  made  an  effort  to  have 
every  incorporated  town  vote  on  the  question  of  establishing 
a  library  under  this  law.  Advice  and  assistance  is  given  to 
towns  in  the  establishment  of  libraries,  and  statistics  of  libra- 
ries are  collected. 

Direct  Aid.  An  amount  equal  to  one-half  the  mini- 
mum amount  authorized  to  be  raised  in  districts  of  its  class 
may  be  given  annually  to  each  public  library.  This  varies 
from  $12.50  to  $125. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  commission  maintains 
a  system  of  traveling  libraries  which  have  been  acquired  by 
gift  and  by  purchase. 

Each  library  contains  about  50  volumes,  and  is  loaned  for 
three  months  with  privilege  of  renewal.  They  are  sent  free 
of  charge  to:  (i)  Any  school,  Sunday  school,  college  or  sem- 
inary upon  application  of  its  principal ;  (2)  Any  village,  town 
or  community,  study  or  other  club,  grange,  post,  lodge,  busi- 


GEORGIA.  31 

ness  corporation  or  other  similar  organization,  which  will 
form  a  library  association  of  not  less  than  five  members ;  (3) 
Any  library  upon  application  of  its  trustees  or  commissioners. 
A  few  collections  of  books  for  study  are  loaned  to  women's 
clubs  and  special  loans  are  made  to  teachers,  and  also  to  in- 
dividuals when  possible  to  give  assistance  to  those  pursuing 
special  lines  of  study. 

Publications: 

Biennial  reports,  1907-date. 
Circular  of  information. 
Handbook,  1904. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Daniel  W.  Corbit,  Odessa,  Chairman. 

Mrs.  James  W.  Anthony,  Smyrna. 

A.  L.  Bailey,  Wilmington. 

I.  J.  Erasure,  Selbyville. 

Mrs.  C.  E.  Burchenal,  Wilmington. 

H.  P.  Cannon,  Bridgeville. 

Mrs.  Chas,  E.  Miller,  Wilmington. 

Mrs.  Henry  Ridgely,  Dover. 

A.  M.  Daly,  Dover. 

Executive     Staff: 
H.  Ridgely  Harrington,  State  Librarian,  Secretary,  Dover. 
Miss  Ida  V.  Culbreth,  Librarian. 

Georgia 

The  Georgia  Library  Commission  was  established  in  1897, 
to  give  advice  and  counsel  to  all  communities  in  the  state  re- 
garding the  establishment  and  management  of  libraries.  The 
Commission  may  also  send  its  members  to  aid  in  organizing 
new  libraries  or  improving  those  already  established.  The 
Commission  has  had  no  appropriation  since  its  organization, 
but  through  the  cooperation  of  the  Carnegie  Library  of  Atlan- 
ta has  rendered  much  assistance  to  all  library  undertakings  in 
the  South. 


32  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK.  ' 

Publications: 
Handbook  of  the  libraries  of  the  State  of  Georgia,  Atlan- 
ta, 1907.  (Printed  as  a  special  Bulletin  of  the  Carnegie 
Library  of  Atlanta.) 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Miss  Julia  Rankin,  Atlanta,  Chairman. 
Mrs.  J.  K.  Ottley,  Atlanta. 
Walter  Brooks,  Rome. 
Carleton  B.  Gibson,  Columbus. 
Bridges  Smith,  Macon. 

Executive  Officer: 
Mrs.  Percival  Sneed,  Organizer,  Carnegie  Library,  At- 
lanta. 

Idaho 

The  State  Library  Commission  operates  a  system  of  travel- 
ing libraries  under  the  control  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction,   who   is   ex-officio  secretary  of  the   Commission. 

The  libraries  consist  of  50  books  each  and  are  loaned  to 
any  community  in  the  state  upon  application  of  five  tax-payers, 
remaining  at  each  station  four  months,  A  competent  person 
is  appointed  librarian  and  is  made  responsible  for  the  books. 
The  expense  of  transportation,  which  is  a  very  large  item  in 
this  state,  is  borne  by  the  Commission. 

Publications : 

Handbook  of  Idaho  Library  Commission. 
Biennial  report,   1906-date. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

D.  C.  McDougall,  Attorney  General,  Chairman,  Boise. 
James  A.  McLean,  President  of  the  University  of  Idaho, 

Moscow. 
Miss   S.   Belle   Chamberlain,    Superintendent   of   Public 

Instruction,  Boise. 
Robert  Lansdon,   Secretary  of  State,  Boise. 


ILLINOIS.  33 

Executive  Staff: 
Miss  S.  Belle  Chamberlain,  Secretary,  ex-officio,  Boise. 
Miss  E.  Louise  Johnson,  Assistant  Secretary. 


Illinois 

The  bill  providing  for  the  establishment  of  the  Illinois 
Library  Extension  Commission  was  passed  on  June  14th,  1909 
and  became  a  law  on  July  1st,  1909.  The  members  of  the 
Commission  provided  for  by  the  law  were  appointed  in  Sep- 
tember, 1909,  by  the  State  Library  Commission  which  is  the 
governing  body  of  the  State  Library.  This  Commission  con- 
sists of  the  Governor,  Secretary  of  State  and  Superintendent 
of  Public  Instruction.  The  Organizer  was  appointed  in  Jan- 
uary, 1910,  and  assumed  active  duties  March  ist,  1910. 

Advisory  Work.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Commission 
to  give  advice  and  information  to  the  librarian  or  trustees  of 
any  existing  public  library,  or  to  any  person  or  community 
interested  in  starting  a  new  public  library,  concerning  the  or- 
ganization, maintenance  or  administration  of  any  such.  The 
Commission  shall  operate  traveling  libraries  and  through  its 
organizer  keep  informed  of  the  condition,  scope  and  methods 
of  work  of  the  various  public  libraries  of  the  state. 

The  advisory  work  of  the  Commission  is  done  through  the 
organizer  by  correspondence  or  personal  visits  wherever  a 
desire  for  such  is  expressed.  This  is  the  largest  part  of  the 
work  at  the  present  time  as  neither  funds  nor  time  permit 
of  organizing  libraries  in  the  sense  that  is  usually  understood 
by  that  term.  The  name  organizer  in  this  Commission  is 
equivalent  to  that  of  secretary  in  most  of  the  Commissions. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  Illinois  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs  presented  the  Commission  with  its  Traveling 
Library  collections  and  the  collections  are  being  reorganized 
into,  one  general  collection.  This  was  considered  the  best  plan 
of  procedure  owing  to  the  large  percentage  of  fiction  in  the 
collections. 


34  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

The  only  work  now  being  done  with  school  libraries  is 
the  temporary  loan  of  a  traveling  library  to  supplement  the 
school  collection. 

Publication : 
Leaflet    No.    i.    What    the    Illinois    Library    Extension 
Commission  means  to  Illinois. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

James  A.  Rose,   Secretary  of   State,  Chairman,  Spring- 
field. 
Mrs.  Eugenie  M.  Bacon,  Secretary,  Decatur. 
Joseph  H.  Freeman,  Aurora. 

Executive  Officer: 

Miss  Eugenia  AUin,  Organizer,  Decatur.* 


Indiana 

The  Public  Library  Commission  endeavors  to  secure  the 
establishment  of  public  libraries  in  localities  able  to  support 
them,  visits  libraries  for  the  purpose  of  giving  advice  and  in- 
struction, conducts  a  summer  school  for  librarians,  co-operates 
with  the  Indiana  Library  Association  in  holding  district  meet- 
ings, maintains  a  system  of  traveling  libraries,  and  endeavors 
to  bring  about  a  closer  relation  between  libraries  and  other 
educational  agencies. 

Advisory  Work.  The  secretary  and  state  organizer 
gives  much  of  his  time  to  advisory  work  through  correspond- 
ence and  in  personal  visits  to  towns.  Interest  in  library  mat- 
ters is  aroused  and  information  is  given  as  to  the  organization 
of  libraries,  building  plans  and  furnishings,  selection  of  books, 
methods  of  advertising,  and  in  library  administration.  Nu- 
merous editorials  are  written  by  the  secretary  for  newspapers 


♦Note: — The  headquarters  have  been  in  Decatur,  111.  since 
organization  but  it  is  now  expected  that  permanent  quarters 
will   be   established  in   Springfield,   111.    early  in   1911. 


INDIANA.  85 

over  the  state  regarding  libraries,  their  establishment  and 
their  management.  Addresses  are  given  at  clubs  and  public 
meetings  when  library  questions  are  discussed.  The  Commis- 
sion publishes  a  quarterly  bulletin  and  also  distributes  free  of 
charge  to  Indiana  libraries,  the  A.  L.  A.  and  other  book-lists. 

Instruction.  In    addition    to    individual    instruction 

given  in  the  Commission's  office  to  visiting  librarians,  summer 
library  schools  have  been  conducted  each  year  beginning  in 
1902.  Only  those  are  admitted  who  have  had  a  four  years' 
High  School  course  or  its  equivalent,  and  who  are  filling  li- 
brary positions  or  are  under  definite  written  appointment  to 
them.  The  course  includes  a  study  of  technical  methods  in 
library  work  and  consideration  is  given  also  to  questions  of 
the  library's  relations  to  the  public,  etc.  The  class  usually 
numbers  about  twenty  students.  The  school  was  formerly 
conducted  at  Winona  Lake,  but  has  been  held  at  Earlham 
College,  Richmond,  since  1908.  About  ninety  lectures  are 
given,  including  a  dozen  or  more  by  visiting  librarians. 

Organization.  The  Commission  helps  to  organize 
city,  town  and  township  libraries  and  if  the  income  of  the 
library  is  small,  the  organizer  spends  a  few  days  at  a  time 
in  instructing  the  local  librarians  how  to  classify  the  library. 
No  charge  is  made  for  such  services.  When  a  library  is  able 
to  pay  for  a  cataloger's  services,  the  Commission  recommends 
some  one  who  can  do  the  work  efficiently. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  traveling  libraries'  sys- 
tem in  Indiana  was  inaugurated  in  1899,  and  was  at  first  ad- 
ministered from  the  State  Library.  In  1902  the  books  were 
transferred  to  the  office  of  the  Commission.  The  books  are 
divided  into  three  groups ;  the  general  libraries,  made  up  of 
forty  volumes  of  miscellaneous  books;  the  subject  libraries, 
consisting  of  from  twelve  to  twenty  volumes  on  a  special 
topic ;  the  open  shelf  collection  from  which  books  are  lent  as 
desired.  The  books  are  lent  to  clubs,  schools,  and  libraries, 
and  to  any  community  upon  application  of  five  citizens.  The 
transportation  charges  are  paid  by  the  borrowers.    Collections 


36  LIBRARY    COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

of  books  may  be  retained  three  months  and  may  usually  be 
renewed  for  another  period  of  three  months  if  desired. 

Special  effort  is  being  made  to  have  the  traveling  libraries 
supplement  the  collections  of  the  small  public  libraries.  In 
some  cases  a  hundred  or  more  volumes  are  sent  to  a  town  li- 
brary to  enable  it  to  supply  the  needs  of  the  whole  township. 

Institutes  and  District,  Meetings.  In  1903  the  Com- 
mission began  holding  institutes  in  different  parts  of 
the  state,  but  in  1905  they  were  discontinued  because  of  lack 
of  funds.  Under  the  new  administration  in  1907  the  institutes 
were  begun  again  and  have  been  continued  up  to  the  present 
time.  At  its  last  convention,  the  Indiana  Library  Association 
provided  for  district  meetings  to  be  held  in  all  parts  of  the 
state.  These  district  meetings  are  under  the  control  of  a  com- 
mittee of  whicn  the  Secretary  of  the  Commission  is  ex-officio 
a  member,  and  the  Commission  is  expected  to  have  a  repre- 
sentative at  the  regular  meeting  in  every  district  each  year. 
This  plan  will  make  the  institutes  unnecessary  as  the  same 
sort  of  work  will  be  done  at  the  district  meetings  as  was 
formerly  done  at  the  institutes. 

Institutional  Libraries.  Indiana  was  one  of  the  first 
states  to  give  aid  to  institutional  libraries  through  its 
Library  Commission.  Several  years  ago  assistance  was  given 
to  the  library  at  the  Indiana  Boys'  School,  but  small  appropri- 
ations have  prevented  the  development  of  definite  work  in 
this  field.  A  charging  system  was  put  in  the  Indiana  Reform- 
atory library,  which  proved  very  successful.  Considerable 
help  has  been  given  by  the  Commission  to  the  two  institu- 
tional libraries  above  mentioned,  and  to  the  one  at  the  Indiana 
Girls'  School. 

Building  Plans.  In  order  to  help  communities  secure 
economical,  convenient  library  buildings,  the  Commission 
has  a  collection  of  photographs  and  floor  plans  of  several  hun- 
dred library  buildings.  They  have  proved  of  great  value  to 
library  architects  and  library  boards  and  a  decided  improve- 
ment has  resulted  in  library  construction  in  towns  where  the 


INDIANA.  37 

plans  have  been  lent.  In  addition  to  plans  of  buildings,  the 
Commission  has  a  small  collection  of  blue  print  drawings 
showing  dimensions  and  construction  of  shelving,  newspaper 
and  periodical  racks,  etc.  The  Commission  believes  that  the 
best  furniture  purchasable  is  the  cheapest  for  library  boards, 
but  when  there  is  not  sufficient  money  available  for  this ;  good, 
inexpensive  furniture  has  been  made  from  the  blue  prints  and 
used  until  the  library's  income  permitted  the  purchase  of  the 
best  library  furniture  in  the  market. 

Documents.  The  Public  Library  Commission  and 
State  Library  are  authorized  by  law  to  distribute  state  docu- 
ments to  public  libraries.  Except  in  a  few  cases,  however,  the 
distribution  is  done  by  the  State  Library. 

Publications  in  Print: 

Graded  list  of  stories  for  reading  aloud;  compiled  by 

Harriot  E.  Hassler.     1910. 
Important  laws  of  Indiana  relating  to  Public  libraries 

and  the  Public  Library  Commission  of  Indiana.     1910. 
Library  development  and  the  Public  Library  Commission 

of  Indiana.    1908. 
Library  Occurrent,  1906 — date. 
Revised  finding  list  of  traveling  libraries.     1908. 
Study  club  finding  list.     1907. 
Report,  1901-04,  1906-08. 

Graded  list  of  books  for  schools  in  the  traveling  libraries. 
Sources  for  obtaining  material  for  miscellaneous  picture 

collection. 
List  of  pictures  for  children's  rooms. 
Helps  in  the  selection  of  children's  books. 
List  of  picture  books  by  good  illustrators. 
List  of  illustrated  books  for  boys  and  girls. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Jacob  P.  Dunn,  Indianapolis,  President. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  Earl,  Connersville. 
William  W.  Parsons,  Terre  Haute. 


LIBRARY    COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Executive  Staff: 
Carl    H.   Milam,    Secretary   and    State    Organizer,   The 

Capitol,  Indianapolis. 
Miss  Carrie  E.  Scott,  Assistant  State  Organizer, 
Miss  Helen  Davis,  Librarian,  Traveling  Libraries. 


Iowa 

The  Library  Commission  of  the  State  of  Iowa  serves  as  a 
Board  of  Library  Extension  and  a  Bureau  of  Library  Infor- 
mation by  means  of  its  various  activities. 

The  Commission  gives  advice  and  counsel  by  personal 
visits  and  correspondence,  to  all  free  and  other  public  libraries 
in  the  state  and  to  communities  which  propose  to  establish 
them,  conducts  a  summer  school,  maintains  a  system  of  trav- 
eling libraries  and  an  exchange  for  periodicals. 

Advisory  Work.  The  secretary  of  the  Commission 
has,  through  correspondence  and  personal  visits,  become  ac- 
quainted with  library  conditions  in  the  state  and  encourage- 
ment is  given  to  all  cities  and  towns  to  take  advantage  of 
the  law  providing  for  a  municipal  tax  for  a  library.  The 
advisory  work  of  the  secretary  has  included  counsel  in  pre- 
liminary efforts  for  the  submission  of  the  library  question 
to  vote;  advice  as  to  methods  of  organization,  selection  of 
books,  and  recommendation  of  competent  organizers ;  confer- 
ences with  trustees  regarding  plans  for  new  library  buildings ; 
addresses  to  teachers'  meetings,  women's  clubs,  public  meet- 
ings, etc.,  on  library  subjects;  and  correspondence  on  many 
subjects  relating  to  library  extension. 

Instruction.  The  Commission  conducts  a  summer 
school  for  library  training  at  the  State  University  of  Iowa, 
as  a  regular  department  of  the  University  Summer  School, 
Those  only  are  admitted  who  are  already  in  library  work  or 
definitely  appointed  to  positions.  The  course  covers  a  period 
of  six  weeks,  and  includes  technical  details  of  library  work. 


IOWA.  39 

with  special  emphasis  on  classification  and  cataloging.  Li- 
brary work  with  children  has  been  an  important  feature  of 
the  school.  A  second  year's  course  in  cataloging  is  offered 
every  two  or  three  years  to  those  who  have  completed  the 
first  year's  work  satisfactorily  and  to  those  who  have  had 
sufficient  previous  training  or  experience.  During  the  year, 
the  secretary  makes  personal  visits  of  a  few  days'  duration  to 
instruct  librarians  as  to  methods  and  assist  in  organizing. 

The  Iowa  Library  Quarterly,  a  sixteen-page  bulletin,  is 
published  for  the  benefit  of  trustees  and  librarians  of  the  free 
public  libraries  of  Iowa. 

Organizing.  The  secretary  of  the  Commission  gives 
as  much  time  as  possible  to  organizing  town  libraries  and  in 
the  preliminary  work,  selection  of  books,  etc.  Where  the 
income  of  the  library  is  small  the  Commission  gives  the  serv- 
ices of  a  skilled  organizer  in  putting  the  library  on  a  mod- 
ern basis.  If  local  funds  are  -available  libraries  are  expected 
to  pay  for  the  services  of  an  organizer,  the  Commission  aiding 
by  advice  and  counsel  and  securing  a  capable  worker. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  Iowa  Library  Commis- 
sion maintains  a  traveling  library  system  as  an  important 
feature  of  its  work. 

The  books  may  be  loaned  to  a  local  public  library,  to  a 
library  association  created  for  the  purpose,  to  a  group  of  ten 
taxpayers,  to  clubs,  schools  and  other  organizations,  and  to 
individuals,  free  of  cost,  except  transportation.  Regular 
libraries  are  loaned  for  three  months,  but  an  extension  of 
time  is  allowed,  when  desired. 

Two  distinct  collections  of  books  are  kept  for  traveling 
library  purposes:  the  regular  libraries  arranged  in  fixed 
groups  of  50  volumes  each,  consisting  of  miscellaneous  col- 
lections for  general  reading;  and  the  general  loan,  or  "open 
shelf"  collection,  arranged  by  subject  according  to  the  Deci- 
mal classification,  from  which  libraries  are  made  up  to  meet 
the  needs  of  the  applicants.  This  collection  includes  (i) 
books  for  study  clubs  and  other  organizations,  for  which  a 
selection   of  books  best  adapted  to  their  requirements,   and 


40  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

usually  not  exceeding  25  volumes,  is  made;  (2)  libraries  for 
young  people;  (3)  individual  loans,  which  may  be  secured  by 
filing  an  agreement  guaranteed  by  the  local  bank,  and  (4) 
books  for  the  blind,  which  are  loaned  to  any  blind  person  in 
the  state,  upon  recommendation  of  a  resident  taxpayer  ac- 
quainted with  the  applicant,  or  which  may  be  loaned  through 
the  local  library. 

Documents.  The  Commission  has  prepared  and  pub- 
lished a  Check-list  of  the  Publications  of  the  State  of  Iowa, 
as  the  first  necessary  step  in  regulating  the  distribution  of 
state  publications. 

School    Libraries.  Traveling    libraries    are    loaned 

to  rural  schools,  books  for  this  purpose  being  selected  from 
a  graded  list  issued  by  the  State  Board  of  Educational  Ex- 
aminers. Instruction  is  given  in  the  Summer  Library  School 
to  teachers  on  the  care  and  use  of  school  libraries. 

Periodical  Exchange.  It  has  been  found  of  great 

practical  service  to  aid  small  libraries  in  completing  sets  of 
standard  periodicals  indexed  in  Poole;  magazines  are  gener- 
ously contributed  from  all  parts  of  the  state  and  there  is  no 
cost  further  than  the  payment  of  freight. 

Publications  in  Print: 
Iowa  Library  Quarterly;  1901  to  date. 
Leaflets : 

No.  I.     Shall  a  free  public  library  be  established? 

No.  2.    Iowa  day  and  a  few  books  about  Iowa. 

No. 3.    Periodicals;  their  value  and  use. 

No.  4.    Birthdays,  anniversaries  and  events. 

No.  5.    Free  Traveling  Library  of  Iowa. 

No.  6.     Books  for  the  blind. 

No.  7.     Library  buildings. 

No.  8.     Study  club  programs. 

No.  9.     Traveling  picture  collections. 

No.  10.    Making  a  library  beginning. 


KANSAS.  41 

List  of  books  recommended  for  children's  library;  com- 
piled by  Annie  Carroll  Moore. 
Traveling  Library  lists. 
Check-list  of  state  publications. 
List  of  books  by  Iowa  authors. 
Reports,  1903,   1905,  1906,  1908. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Johnson     Brigham,     State     Librarian,     Chairman,     Des 

Moines. 
George  E.  MacLean,  President  State  University,  Iowa 

City. 
John  F.  Riggs,  State  Supt.  of  Public  Instruction,  Des 

Moines. 
Mrs.  Horace  M.  Towner,  Corning. 
Mrs.  David  W.  Norris,  Grinnell. 
Mrs.  Henry  J.  Howe,  Marshalltown. 
Captain  W.  H.  Johnston,  Ft.  Dodge. 

Executive  Staff: 

Miss  Alice  S.  Tyler,  Secretary  and  Director  of  Library 
Extension,   State  Historical  Bldg.,  Des  Moines. 

Miss  Margaret  W.  Brown,  Librarian  Traveling  Library. 

Miss  Eliza  E.  Townsend,  Field  and  Reference  Assistant. 

Miss  Ida  L.  Lange,  Organizer. 

Miss  Edna  Lyman,  Advisory  Children's  Librarian  (Part 
time  only). 


Kansas 

The  Traveling  Libraries  Commission  maintains  a  system 
of  traveling  libraries,  which  are  loaned  to  any  community  in 
the  state  upon  application  and  payment  of  a  fee  of  $2.00  to 
cover  transportation  charges.  The  libraries  are  made  up  to 
suit  the  individual,  club,  school  or  society  ordering.  The 
only  fixed  libraries  are  those  planned  and  prepared  for  club 
and  class  work. 


42  LIBRARY    COMMISSION    HAND-BOOK. 

Publications : 

Reports,   1900-date. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

James  L.  King,  State  Librarian,  Chairman. 
Lucy  B.  Johnston. 
Mrs.  Eustace  Brown. 
Julia  E.  Brown. 
H.  G.  Larimer. 

Executive  Officer: 

Mrs.  Adrian  Greene,  Secretary,  Topeka. 


Kentucky 

The  Kentucky  Library  Commission  came  into  existence 
by  act  of  the  legislature  of  1910.  This  act  provides  for  the 
appointment  of  five  members  by  the  governor,  and  an  appro- 
priation for  its  maintenance  and  support. 

The  purpose  of  the  Commission  is  to  promote  the  library 
interests  of  the  state  by  increasing  the  usefulness  of  libraries 
already  in  existence,  by  the  establishment  of  new  ones  in 
communities  where  none  exist,  and  by  the  maintenance  and 
operation  of  a  widely  circulating  traveling  library  system 
reaching  all  parts  of  the  state  where  needed. 

Advisory  Work.  To  promote  the  best  efficiency  of 
library  work  in  the  state  the  Library  Commission  will  assist 
communities  wishing  to  establish  libraries  by  giving  advice 
and  assistance  in  arousing  public  interest,  in  securing  a  main- 
tenance tax,  and  in  the  selection  of  suitable  building  plans  and 
furniture.  Estimates  for  equipment  and  specifications  for 
furniture  and  shelving  will  be  supplied  and  material,  in  the 
form  of  photographs  and  blue  prints,  illustrating  these  things 
will  be  collected  and  kept  in  the  commission  office  for  the 
use  of  library  boards.  Help  will  also  be  given  in  the  organ- 
ization and  administration  of  the  library  and  where  possible 
an  organizer  will  be  sent  to  aid  in  this  work. 


KENTUCKY.  4a 

To  libraries  already  established  the  Commission  will  give 
advice  and  help  in  book  selection  and  purchase,  with  sug- 
gestions for  securing  the  best  book  lists,  will  aid  in  reference 
work  and  in  all  the  details  of  library  equipment  and  manage- 
ment. The  Commission  will  also  assist  library  boards  in  se- 
curing the  services  of  competent  librarians,  when  requested 
so  to  do. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  traveling  libraries  which 
have  for  a  number  of  years  been  maintained  by  the 
women's  clubs  in  the  mountains  of  Kentucky  will  be  thor- 
oughly reorganized  and  turned  over  to  the  Commission,  and 
new  libraries  will  be  added  by  purchase. 

These  traveling  libraries  will  consist  of  fixed  groups  of 
fifty  or  more  well  selected  books  for  general  reading  and  study 
for  adults,  young  people  and  children.  They  will  be  sent 
free  of  charge,  except  the  cost  of  transportation,  and  under 
such  conditions  and  rules  as  shall  protect  the  interests  of  the 
state  and  best  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  service. 

In  addition  to  the  fixed  groups  of  traveling  libraries  de- 
scribed above,  an  open  shelf  or  subject  collection  will  be  a 
feature  of  the  commission  work,  from  which  books  may  be 
borrowed  to  suit  the  special  needs  of  study  clubs,  debating 
societies,  farmers'  clubs  and  individuals. 

Publications : 

Circular  of  information  No.  i. 
Kentucky  Library  Commission  law. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 
♦Miss  Fannie  C.  Rawson,  Chairman,  Louisville. 

Miss  May  Stone,  Hindman, 

Frank  K.  Kavanaugh,  Frankfort. 

Mrs.   George  Alexander  Flournoy,  Paducah. 

William  B.  Doherty,  Louisville. 


*Miss  Rawson  has  been  elected  secretary,  her  election  to  take 
effect  when  she  shall  have  secured  the  training  in  modern  li- 
brary methods  required  bj'-  the  library  law.  At  that  time  an- 
other member  will  be  appointed  to  fill  her  unexpired  term  on 
the  Commission. 


44  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Executive  Officer: 
Miss  Julia  A.  Robinson,  Acting  Secretary,  The  Capitol, 
Frankfort. 

Maine 

The  State  Library  Commission  of  Maine  was  established 
in  1899  "to  encourage  the  establishment  of  free  public  libra- 
ries, to  select  the  books  to  be  purchased  for  traveling  libraries 
and  to  advise  the  state  librarian  in  reference  thereto." 

The  law  creating  the  Commission  also  authorized  the  loan- 
ing of  books  from  the  State  Library,  and  established  the 
system  of  traveling  libraries. 

Advisory  Work.  The  members  of  the  Commission 
have  attended  the  dedication  of  new  libraries,  and  have  given 
help  and  advice  to  such  libraries  when  called  upon.  In  1906 
the  Commission  rendered  assistance  to  the  State  Library 
Association  by  paying  the  expenses  of  two  outside  speakers 
at  the  annual  meeting. 

Instruction.  In  1904  and  again  in  1910,  a  summer 
class  of  three  weeks  in  library  training  was  held  at  the 
University  of  Maine.  The  course  of  study  included  simple 
cataloging,  classification,  accessioning,  shelf-listing,  book- 
selection,  ordering  and  reference  work,  with  lectures  upon 
various  other  subjects  of  interest  such  as  rebinding,  adminis- 
tration, assistants,  reports,  statistics,  etc. 

Direct  Aid.  Each  public  library  upon  its  establishment 
is  entitled  to  $100  worth  of  books  and  annually  thereafter  to 
an  amount  equal  to  10  per  cent  of  the  amount  appropriated 
and  expended  for  the  library. 

Traveling  Libraries.  Libraries  of  50  volumes  each 
are  loaned  to  any  free  library  in  the  state  upon  applica- 
tion of  the  librarian;  or  to  any  association  composed  of  five 
or  more  persons  residing  in  a  town  destitute  of  a  free  library. 
The    fee   is   $2.50.     Books   and   documents    from   the    State 


MARYLAND.  45 

Library  may  also  be  loaned  to  any  responsible  citizen  of  the 
state,  on  written  application  therefor  and  on  payment  of  all 
express  and  carriage  charges. 

Publications: 

Reports  1-3,  1900-1903. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

H.    C.    Prince,    State    Librarian,    Secretary    Ex-officio, 

Augusta. 
Mrs.  Kate  C.  Estabrooke,  President,  Orono. 
W.  H.  Hartshorn,  Lewiston. 
Mrs.  Lizzie  Jewett-Butler,  Mechanic  Falls. 
J.  H.  Winchester,  Corinna. 

Maryland 

The  State  Library  Commission  was  established  to  give  ad- 
vice and  counsel  to  all  free  libraries  and  public  school  libra- 
ries in  the  state  and  to  all  communities  proposing  to  estab- 
lish them,  and  to  maintain  a  system  of  traveling  libraries. 

Advisory  Work.  When  funds  have  permitted,  a 
field  secretary  and  organizer  has  been  employed  to  visit  trav- 
eling library  stations,  to  arouse  interest  in  library  matters  and 
to  obtain  information  regarding  library  needs  in  various  parts 
of  the  state.  Statistics  of  libraries  in  Maryland  have  been 
collected  and  published  in  the  annual  reports  of  the  Commis- 
sion. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  Commission  owns  91  trav- 
eling libraries,  these  cases  being  shipped  from  the  Enoch 
Pratt  Free  Library,  Baltimore.  Libraries  of  about  35  volumes 
each  are  loaned  for  four  months  to  any  community  upon  appli- 
cation of  at  least  three  responsible  citizens,  and  payment  of 
a  fee  of  50  cents. 

Books  for  the  blind  are  sent  from  the  Enoch  Pratt  Free 
Library  to  any  blind  person  in  the  state,  the  Commission 
agreeing  to  hold  itself  responsible   for  the   safe-keeping  of 


46  LIBRARY    COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

the  books,  and  to  pay  a  small  sum  to  the  library  to  cover 
wear  and  tear. 

Publications : 

Reports,  1903-date. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

M.  Bates  Stephens,  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruc- 
tion, President,  Denton. 

Bernard  C.  Steiner,  Librarian,  Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library, 
Secretary,  Baltimore. 

Miss  Lynn  M.  Shaffer,  State  Librarian,  Annapolis. 

Mrs.  John  M.  Carter,  Mt.  Washington. 

Mrs.  M.  A.  Newell,  Port  Deposit. 

Thomas  B.  Mackall,  Baltimore. 

De  Courcy  W.  Thom,  Queenstown. 

Massachusetts 

The  Free  Public  Library  Commission  was  created  in  1890 
to  encourage  the  establishment  of  libraries  by  direct  aid,  and 
to  give  advice  relating  to  the  maintenance  and  administration 
of  libraries. 

Direct  Aid.  The  law  of  1890  authorized  the  Commis- 
sion to  give  each  town  $100  worth  of  books  upon  the 
establishment  of  a  library  in  accordance  with  an  earlier  act 
relating  to  the  election,  powers,  and  duties  of  trustees  of  free 
libraries.  In  1890,  103  towns  were  without  a  free  public 
library.  In  1904,  every  town  in  the  state  enjoyed  the  privileges 
of  a  library. 

In  1892,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  the  Commission  to 
give  $100  worth  of  books  to  those  towns  of  less  than  $600,000 
valuation,  which  had  established  libraries  previous  to  1890. 

To  still  further  aid  the  poorer  towns,  the  Commission 
was  authorized  in  1900  to  give  an  additional  $100  worth  of 
iDooks  to  the  towns  of  less  than  $600,000  valuation.  This 
^rant  was  usually  made  in  two  installments. 

To  continue   service   by  the    Commission   to   the   smaller 


MASSACHUSETTS.  47 

libraries,  an  act  was  passed  in  1906  whereby  the  Commission 
might  annually  expend  a  sum  not  exceeding  $2,000  in  aid 
of  free  libraries  -  especially  in  towns  the  valuation  of  which 
does  not  exceed  $600,000.  This  law  is  more  elastic  than 
the  previous  ones,  and  "aid  may  include  the  furnishing 
of  books  in  small  quantities,  visits  to  libraries,  the  instruc- 
tion of  librarians,  and  such  other  means  of  encouraging  and 
stimulating  the  small  libraries  as  said  commissioners  shall 
deem  advisable." 

An  act  of  1910  provides  that  "the  Board  of  Free  Pub- 
lic Library  Commissioners  shall  appoint  an  agent,  with  the 
consent  of  the  Governor,  for  a  period  not  exceeding  five 
years";  also,  that  "the  Board  may  annually  expend  not  more 
than  $3,000  for  clerical  assistance  and  for  other  necessary 
expenses."  The  salary  of  the  agent  is  not  included  in  this 
amount. 

Advisory  Aid.  In  addition  to  the  service  rendered 
without  compensation  by  the  individual  members  of  the 
Commission,  a  board  of  advisory  visitors  was  organized  in 
1908,  the  members  of  which  visit  without  compensation  the 
small  libraries,  and  report  to  the  Commission  the  conditions 
which  they  find  and  make  recommendations.  In  this  way 
the  "personal  touch"  has  reached  most  of  the  smaller  towns 
and  many  of  the  larger  ones.  Twenty-one  members  served  on 
the  board  of  advisory  visitors  last  year. 

Publications: 

Annual  reports,  1891-date. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 
Charles  F.  D.  Belden,  State  Librarian,  Boston,   Chair- 
man. 
Miss  Elizabeth  P.  Sohier,  Beverly. 
Mr.  Hiller  C.  Wellman,  Springfield. 
Miss  Anna  M.  Bancroft,  Hopedale. 
Mr.  Frank  H.  Howes,  Newton. 

Agent  of  the  Commission: 

Miss  Zaidee  M.  Brown,  State  Library,  Boston. 


48  library  commission  hand-book. 

Michigan 

The  Board  of  Library  Commissioners  encourages  the  es- 
tablishment of  town  libraries  by  means  of  the  system  of 
registered  libraries  and  works  in  cooperation  with  the  De- 
partment of  Public  Instruction,  the  county  commissioners  of 
schools,  the  women's  clubs  and  the  county  organizers  of 
village  and  rural  libraries.  The  board  employs  no  assistants, 
but  its  work  is  done  in  connection  with  that  of  the  State 
Library. 

Instruction.  In  1908,  the  first  session  of  the  Sum- 
mer School  for  library  training  was  held  at  the  State  Li- 
brary. The  course  was  free  to  those  holding  library  posi- 
tions in  Michigan,  or  under  appointment  to  such  positions, 
and  offered  elementary  instruction  on  technical  subjects,  de- 
signed to  meet  the  needs  of  librarians  of  the  smaller  libra- 
ries. Work  with  children  was  made  a  special  feature  of 
this  session.  A  five  weeks'  course  including  twenty-two 
lectures  was  given  by  Miss  Effie  L.  Power.  For  use  in  this 
work  the  Commission  obtained  a  library  of  500  v.,  chosen 
by  Miss  Power,  as  a  first  selection  of  children's  books  for 
a  small  public  library.  The  list  has  been  printed  by  the 
Commission. 

A  six  weeks'  course  in  library  methods  has  been  estab- 
lished in  connection  with  the  summer  sessions  of  the  three 
normal  schools  at  Kalamazoo,  Marquette  and  Mt.  Pleasant. 
The  two  courses  into  which  the  work  was  divided  are  as  fol- 
lows: Course  I  designed  for  teachers  having  no  libraries 
to  administer,  included  no  technical  instruction,  but  laid 
special  emphasis  on  book  selection,  care  of  books,  children's 
books  and  reading,  story  telling,  etc.  Course  II,  for  teachers 
having  school  libraries  in  charge,  included  technical  instruc- 
tion and  practice  work  in  accessioning,  classifying  and  cata- 
loging, in  addition  to  work  along  the  lines  given  in  Course  I. 

Through  the  efforts  of  the  State  Board  of  Library  Com- 
missioners a  library  section  was  embodied  in  the  program 
of  the  Michigan  State  Teachers'  Association  in  1907.  At 
a  meeting  of  the  Upper  Peninsula  Educational  Association, 


MICHIGAN.  49 

held  in  Negaunee  October  14,  1910  a  library  section  was 
added  to  that  body.  Exhibits  of  library  utilities  and  books 
and  examples  of  the  loan  collection  of  pictures  are  displayed 
at  the  annual  meetings  of  these  associations. 

Organizing.  In  April  1907,  a  county  organizer  was 
appointed  to  carry  on  library  work  on  educational  lines. 
Visits  have  been  made  to  the  more  isolated  portions  of  the 
state,  and  library  matters  have  been  presented  at  state  and 
local  teachers'  associations,  teachers'  institutes,  farmers'  in- 
stitutes and  the  state  fair. 

Assistants  are  sent  out  from  the  State  Library  to  assist 
small   libraries  in  accessioning,   classification  and  cataloging. 

Direct  Aid.  Under  the  registration  plan  any  library 
which  is  free  to  the  public  and  which  has  on  its  shelves 
100  books,  not  counting  government  and  state  documents, 
may  borrow  from  the  Board  of  Library  Commissioners  100 
books  to  be  kept  six  months,  when  upon  a  further  purchase 
of  books,  another  loan  will  be  made,  equal  to  the  number 
purchased.  This  loan  applies  to  township,  district  and  school 
libraries,  if  free  to  the  public. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  traveling  libraries  are 
under  the  direction  of  the  state  librarian,  and  are  loaned  to 
towns  and  villages  upon  application  of  a  group  of  20  or  25 
taxpayers.  Farming  communities  may  apply  under  the  fol- 
lowing organizations :  granges,  farmers'  clubs,  women's  clubs, 
Epworth  Leagues  and  similar  organizations  and  any  society 
organized  for  the  purpose  of  study.  A  yearly  fee  of  $5.00 
pays  the  transportation  both  ways  on  four  libraries,  $1.25 
pays  the  transportation  both  ways  on  one  library.  The  regu- 
lar libraries  are  made  up  in  sets  of  50  volumes  for  general 
reading.  These  may  be  kept  three  months  and  an  extension 
of  three  months  is  allowed.  To  aid  the  club  women  of  the 
state,  special  libraries  of  books  made  up  on  the  programs  of 
club  work  are  prepared.  They  are  loaned  under  the  asso- 
ciation application. 


50  LIBRARY    COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Legislative  Reference  Department.  A  Legislative  Ref- 
erence Department  was  established  in  the  State  Library  in 
1907.  The  first  work  of  the  department  was  collecting  in- 
formation in  regard  to  the  constitutions  of  the  various  states 
to  aid  in  the  work  of  preparing  a  new  constitution. 

Publications: 

Annual  reports,  1900-date  (1904  o.  p.). 
Books  for  libraries  (Reprint  of  A.  L.  A.  Book-list). 
How  shall   I   catalog  my  library?    (Reprint). 
How  to  start  a  library. 
Legislative  history  of   Michigan  libraries. 
State  aid  to  libraries. 
Women's  clubs  and  free  public  libraries. 
List  of  books  for  school  libraries,  grades   1-8. 
List  of  books  for  High  School  libraries,  1909. 
500  children's  books  for  a  library. 

Annotated  list  of  reference  books  for  school  and  public 
libraries,  1910. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Henry  Nelson  Loud,  President,  Au  Sable. 

Mrs.    Mary    C.    Spencer,    State   Librarian,    Secretary, 

Lansing. 
David   E.   Heineman,  Detroit. 
Henry  R.   Pattengill,  Lansing. 
Frederick  J.   Baldwin,   Coral. 


Minnesota 

The  Minnesota  Public  Library  Commission  was  established 
in  1899  to  encourage  the  establishment  of  libraries  in  all 
communities  able  to  support  them,  to  give  advice  and  in- 
struction to  those  in  charge  of  public  libraries  already  es- 
tablished and  to  maintain  a  system  of  free  traveling  libraries. 

Advisory  Work.  The  Commission  endeavors  to 
awaken  interest  in  towns  where  no  libraries  exist,  through 


MINNESOTA.  51 

correspondence,  printed  matter,  personal  visks,  or  public 
meetings  for  discussion  of  the  library  question;  gives  advice 
to  all  towns  which  are  attempting  to  start  libraries,  regarding 
laws  and  methods  of  organization,  selection  of  books,  fur- 
niture and  supplies;  visits  libraries  already  established  to 
confer  with  the  librarian  and  library  board  regarding  meth- 
ods of  work  and  plans  for  further  development;  assists 
in  planning  library  buildings ;  distributes  the  A.  L,  A.  Book- 
list and  other  aids  in  book  selection  to  librarians  and  mem- 
bers of  book  committees,  and  also  compiles  lists  for  pur- 
chase upon  special  request  from  individual  libraries. 

Instruction.  The  Commission  conducts  a  six- 
weeks'  course  in  library  methods  at  the  University  of  Min- 
nesota, as  a  department  of  the  University  Summer  School. 
The  course  is  open  only  to  those  having  library  positions  or 
who  are  under  definite  appointments  to  such  positions,  and 
includes  classification,  cataloging,  administration,  book-selec- 
tion afid  buying,  reference  work,  children's  work,  and  all 
business  records  necessary  in  a  small  library.  Further  in- 
struction is  given  by  the  Commission  organizer  to  each  in- 
dividual librarian  in  her  own  library. 

In  addition  to  the  publications  of  the  Commission,  other 
library  literature  including  the  A.  L.  A.  tracts  and  hand- 
books is  sent  out  as  required. 

Beginning  in  1909,  the  Commission  has  conducted  a  se- 
ries of  round  table  meetings  each  year  at  convenient  points 
throughout  the  state,  to  bring  together  a  group  of  librarians 
and  trustees  for  informal  conference  concerning  the  problems 
of  every  day  work.  Library  interests  are  also  presented  at 
the  annual  and  district  meetings  of  the  State  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs. 

Organizing.  When  a  library  is  opened  for  the  first 
time,  the  Commission  sends  an  organizer  to  classify  the 
books,  start  the  accession-record  and  shelf -list,  install  a 
proper  charging  system,  and  teach  the  librarian  how  to  keep 
the  necessary  records.  When  the  librarian  has  had  sum- 
mer school  training,  further  assistance  is  rendered  in  cata- 


52  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

loging.  All  but  local  expenses  are  paid  by  the  Commission, 
but  not  more  than  three  weeks  time  is  given  to  one  library. 

Institution  Libraries.  Since  1909,  the  Commis- 
sion has  included  in  its  field  of  activity  the  libraries  in  the 
state  correctional  and  charitable  institutions.  These  libraries 
are  visited  frequently  by  the  Commission  organizer,  and  as- 
sistance is  given  as  needed  in  classification,  cataloging  and 
book  selection.  The  librarians  in  charge  of  each  institution 
send  monthly  reports  to  the  Library  Commission,  copies  of 
which  are  submitted  to  the  State  Board  of  Control.  Travel- 
ing libraries  of  books  carefully  selected  for  this  purpose  are 
loaned  to  the  hospitals  for  the  insane. 

Traveling  Libraries.     Through  the  traveling  libraries, 

the  Commission  furnishes  books  to  communities  having  no  li- 
brary facilities  and  strengthens  the  resources  of  the  small 
public  libraries  with  limited  book  funds,  especially  in  collec- 
tions for  children  and  in  foreign  languages,  special  books  and 
reference  aid  to  students. 

The  regular  traveling  libraries  are  in  fixed  collections 
and  include  50  volumes  for  small  towns  and  villages,  25  vol- 
umes of  general  reading  for  rural  communities,  25  volumes 
of  children's  books,  25  volumes  in  Finnish,  French,  German, 
Norwegian  and  Swedish,  the  "Farmers'  library"  consisting  of 
25  books  on  agriculture  and  25  for  general  reading.  These 
are  loaned  to  any  community  on  application  of  ten  taxpayers, 
or  board  of  library  directors  or  Farmers'  club  for  Farmers* 
library.  A  fee  of  $1.00  for  50  English  books,  50  cents  for  25 
English  books  and  $1.00  for  25  foreign  books  is  charged.  The 
Commission  pays  transportation  charges. 

To  adapt  the  fixed  collections  to  the  needs  of  each  commu- 
nity, extra  books  are  added  as  needed.  All  requests  for  books 
other  than  fiction  are  considered  and  included  if  possible,  and 
groups  of  six  books  on  agriculture  or  in  Finnish,  French, 
German,  Norwegian  and  Swedish  are  added  without  extra 
charge. 

Home  libraries  made  up  of   from   10  to   12  volumes  are 


MINNESOTA.  53 

loaned  to  individuals  living  in  communities  so  isolated  that  a 
local  library  association  cannot  be  formed. 

The  Commission  has  a  large  general  collection  from  which 
libraries  for  study  clubs  are  made  up,  covering  a  wide  range 
of  subject  and  comprising  the  best  books  obtainable  in  the 
various  fields  of  study.  The  club  libraries  contain  enough 
books  to  cover  the  subject  studied  and  the  number  sent  va- 
ries accordingly.  Pictures,  stereoscopic  views,  pamphlets  and 
folios  of  magazine  articles  are  added  when  needed  to  com- 
plete the  library.  These  are  loaned  for  a  fee  of  $i.oo  in 
addition  to  which  the  club  pays  the  transportation  charges 
both  ways.  The  libraries  may  be  kept  for  the  period  of  the 
club  year. 

This  collection  also  provides  books  for  students  pursuing 
University  Extension  courses,  teachers  studying  for  profes- 
sional state  certificates  and  material  for  club  and  debate 
loans.  Individual  loans  are  sent  on  application  endorsed  by 
district  school  officers,  and  the  books  are  sent  singly  or  in 
small  groups  for  a  period  of  one  month  for  transportation 
charges  only. 

Reference  work  is  a  growing  feature  of  work  of  the  trav- 
eling libraries,  and  requests « are  received  in  large  numbers 
from  debating  societies,  teachers,  students  and  librarians  for 
loans  on  special  subjects.  Such  aid  is  supplied  from  the  gener- 
al collection  of  books,  from  the  magazines  on  file  in  the 
clearing  house,  or  from  the  larger  public  libraries  by  inter- 
library  loans. 

Traveling  library  stations  are  visited  by  the  librarian  as 
opportunity  affords;  especially  for  the  purpose  of  re-estab- 
lishing stations  which  have  been  abandoned  and  locating  li- 
braries in  new  communities.  The  traveling  library  idea  is 
presented  at  farmers'  institutes,  teachers'  meetings,  and  club 
meetings  and  is  further  advertised  with  excellent  results 
through  the  cooperation  of  the  Extension  Division  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  of  the  University,  by  means  of 
articles  in  their  farm  papers,  and  exhibits  at  the  county  fairs. 

Periodical  Exchange.  Through  the  clearing  house 
for      periodicals,      the      Commission      assists      the      public 


54  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

libraries  of  the  state  to  complete  their  files  of  reference  mag- 
azines. From  the  collection  of  magazines  on  hand,  reference 
material  is  supplied  for  school  debates  and  study  clubs.  Il- 
lustrated popular  magazines  not  valuable  for  reference  work 
are  sent  to  railroad  and  lumber  camps. 

School  Libraries.  The  Commission  gives  advice  to 
school  libraries  through  correspondence,  assists  in  organizing 
such  libraries  whenever  possible,  and  encourages  coopera- 
tion between  school  and  public  libraries. 

In  1909,  the  Commission  revised  the  Catalog  for  Public 
School  Libraries  issued  by  the  Department  of  Public  In- 
struction, and  prepared  a  supplement  to  this  catalog  the  fol- 
lowing year.  The  Teachers'  assistant,  a  selected  list  from 
the  school  catalog,  grades  i  to  5,  was  published  to  aid 
teachers  in  rural  schools  in  selection  of  books.  This  has 
been  widely  distributed  to  teachers  through  the  county  su- 
perintendents of  schools. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  State  Educational  Association  in 
1910,  the  Commission  held  an  exhibit  including  the  books 
listed  on  the  Teachers'  assistant  and  showing  other  aids  in 
book  selection,  and  library  methods  for  school  libraries.  A 
representative  of  the  Commission  is  also  sent  to  the  meetings 
of  each  district  teachers'  association,  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
couraging better  correlation  of  school  libraries  and  public 
libraries. 

Publications : 
Biennial  reports,  1900-  date. 
Publication   No.   i,   Minnesota  library  laws,   November 

1903. 
Library  laws,  1907  (revised). 
Publication  No.  2,  Public  documents  in  the  small  library, 

March,  1904. 
Library  notes  and  news,  December,   1904-  date. 
Leaflets : 

Free  traveling  libraries. 

— Rules  for  circulation. 

— Farmers'  library. 


MISSOURI.  65 

— Finding  lists — Books  on  agriculture. 

—  —    Household   economics. 

—  —    Teachers'    library. 

Teachers'   assistant,   a   list   for   rural   schools,   grades   I 
to  S. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Cyrus  Northrop,  President  of  the  University  of  Min- 
nesota, Minneapolis. 

C.  G.  Schulz,  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 
St.   Paul. 

Warren  Upham,  Secretary,  Minnesota  Historical  So- 
ciety, St.  Paul. 

Miss  Margaret  J.  Evans,  Chairman,  Northfield. 

Miss  Gratia  A.  Countryman,  Minneapolis. 

Executive  Staff: 
Miss  Clara  F.  Baldwin,  Secretary,  The  Capitol,  St.  Paul. 
Miss   Martha  Wilson,   Librarian. 
Miss  Miriam  E.  Carey,  Organizer. 
Miss  Mary  P.  Pringle,  Assistant. 


Missouri 

The  Missouri  Library  Commission  was  established  by  the 
Legislature  of  1907,  and  was  organized  October  15,  1907,  at 
which  time  a  secretary  was  elected  to  take  active  charge.  The 
Commission  consists  of  five  members,  three  of  whom  are  ap- 
pointed by  the  governor ;  the  State  Superintendent  of  Schools 
and  the  President  of  the  State  University  complete  the  mem- 
bership. The  Commission  is  authorized  to  give  advice  to  all 
school,  free  and  other  public  libraries,  and  to  all  communities 
which  may  propose  to  establish  them ;  it  may  receive  gifts  of 
money,  books  or  other  property;  operate  a  system  of  travel- 
ing libraries;  and  in  general  aid  in  the  development  of  libra- 
ries throughout  the  state. 

Legislative.  The  general  assembly  of  1909  passed  a 
bill,   (Mo.  Doc.  H.  B.  173)  creating  a  General  Assembly  Li- 


56  LIBRARY    COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

brary  to  consist  chiefly  of  the  Legislative  journals  and  state 
documents ;  but  opening  the  door  to  progressive  reference 
work  for  the  Legislature.  The  Library  thus  collected  is  to  be 
supervised  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Library  Commission  under 
the  direction  of  the  House  and  Senate  during  Sessions,  and  to 
be  at  other  times  in  charge  of  the  Library  Commission  alone. 

Co-operative  Work.  Institutes  for  elementary  library 
teaching  have  been  held  for  two  successive  years,  (1908-1909) 
in  conjunction  with  the  State  Library  Association. 

As  chairman  of  the  Department  of  Libraries  of  the  Mis- 
souri State  Teachers'  Association,  the  secretary  has  arranged 
programs  for  representation  of  library  themes  at  three  annual 
meetings  of  the  teachers.  In  1910,  the  subject  "The  library 
as  a  practical  aid  to  the  teacher,"  was  ably  discussed  by  Mr. 
A.  E.  Bostwick  of  St.  Louis  in  an  address  before  the  General 
Session,  and  the  section  meeting  was  held  simply  for  inter- 
change of  experience. 

Organizing.  In  June  1910,  real  field  work  was  begun 
under  Miss  Mary  P.  Farr;  during  the  last  seven  months  of 
the  year,  five  counties  were  thoroughly  canvassed,  and  much 
special  work  was  done  with  the  small  libraries  of  the  state. 

Traveling  Libraries.  Fixed  Groups  164  are  now  in  use; 
these  contain  from  30-50  volumes  each.  The  policy  of  dupli- 
cating groups  has  been  abandoned  as  tending  to  reduce  elas- 
ticity in  replacing  wornout  volumes.  General  loan  collection 
has  been  increased  by  100  odd  in  the  classes  of  Agriculture 
and  Home  Economics,  and  many  volumes  have  been  circulated 
through  the  co-operation  of  the  Farmers'  Institute  lecturer. 
Loans  from  the  general  shelves  were  sent  to  50  different  points 
in  the  state  during  September,  October  and  November  of  1910; 
the  number  of  books  in  each  loan  varies  from  i  volume  to  30 
volumes. 

Picture  Collection.     In  1910,  five  hundred  unmounted 

photographs  were  purchased  for  free  circulation  among  the 
libraries  and  clubs  of  the  State.  They  will  be  mounted  to 
make  local  exhibition  easy  and  loss  difficult. 


NEBRASKA.  57 

Publications : 

Traveling   libraries,   what  they  are  and  how  to  secure 

them. 
Annual  report,  1907-date. 
Traveling  library  book-lists. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 
J.  P.  Green,  Liberty,  President. 
Miss  Adelaide  J.  Thompson,  Jefferson  City. 
Arthur  E.  Bostwick,  St.  Louis. 

A.  Ross  Hill,  President  University  of  Missouri,  Colum- 
bia. 
H.  A.  Gass,  State  Supt.  of  Public  Schools,  Jefferson  City. 

Executive  Staff: 

Miss  Elizabeth  B.  Wales,  Secretary,  Jefferson  City. 
Miss  Mary  P.  Farr,  Organizer. 


Nebraska 

The  Public  Library  Commission  was  established  in  1901, 
chiefly  for  the  encouragement  of  the  establishment  of  li- 
braries, and  the  improvement  of  those  already  established, 
with  the  traveling  library  as  one  of  the  means  to  this  end. 

Advisory  Work.  The  Commission  gives  advice  and 
suggestions  on  library  matters  by  personal  visits  of  the  secre- 
tary, correspondence  and  the  distribution  of  literature.  Lists 
of  books  for  purchase  are  recommended  by  the  Commission, 
and  the  A.  L.  A.  Book-list  is  sent  to  every  library  in  the 
state. 

Organizing.  Assistance  in  organizing  is  rendered  to 
small  public  libraries  without  charge. 

Instruction.  .The  secretary  of  the  Commission 
gives  instruction  to  individual  librarians  in  their  own  libra- 


58  LIBRARY    COMMISSION    HAND-BOOK. 

ries.  In  1906,  a  correspondence  course  was  instituted;  a 
course  of  work  in  elementary  form,  with  lessons  sent  to  the 
office  of  the  Commission  for  revision. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  general  traveling  li- 
braries are  composed  of  from  40  to  50  volumes  of  miscella- 
neous books  for  adults  and  children.  At  the  request  of  the 
borrowers  other  books  are  included  on  special  subjects, 
children's  books  and  books  of  general  reading  when  the  ma- 
jority of  readers  are  adults.  In  addition  to  the  general  li- 
braries there  are  several  school  libraries  containing  books 
for  children  only,  books  of  general  interest  and  for  supple- 
mentary reading.  Libraries  are  loaned  to  any  community, 
upon  payment  of  transportation  charges. 

From  the  general  loan  collection,  books  on  special  sub- 
jects are  loaned  to  study  clubs,  teachers,  schools  and  indi- 
viduals. 

School  Libraries.  The  Commission  has  done 
much  voluntary  work  in  behalf  of  school  libraries.  There  is 
no  provision  made  in  the  school  library  law  for  the  method 
of  selection  and  purchase  of  books,  but  the  Commission  has 
printed  a  list  of  books  suitable  for  a  school  library,  and 
teachers  and  directors  are  urged  to  buy  from  this  list.  Many 
talks  have  been  given  by  the  secretary  at  teachers'  insti- 
tutes and  normal  schools  and  correspondence  on  the  subject 
of  book  selection  is  a  feature. 

Publications : 

Biennial  reports,  1902-  date. 

Circular    of    information. 

Farm  circular  No.  i,  January,  1906. 

How  to  start  a  library. 

Library  day  circular,  October,  1905.  o.  p. 

List  of  books  for  school  libraries. 

Nebraska  library  bulletin,  February,  1906-  date. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 
F.  L.  Haller,  President,  Omaha. 

S.   Avery,   Chancellor  of   the  University  of   Nebraska, 
Lincoln. 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE.  5» 

E.  C  Bishop,  State  Superifitendent  of   Public  Instruc' 

tion,  Lincoln. 
H.  C  Lindsay,  State  Librarian,  Lincoln. 
Dr.  Walter  K.  Jewett,  Librarian  of  the  University  of 

Nebraska,  Lincoln. 

Executive  Staff: 

Miss  Charlotte  Templeton,  Secretary,  Lincoln. 
Miss   Guess   Humphrey,  Librarian. 


New  Hampshire 

The  board  of  trustees  of  the  State  Library  supersedes  the 
Board  of  Library  Commissioners,  assuming  all  its  powers 
and  duties.  These  are  to  give  advice  to  public  libraries  as 
to  selection  of  books,  maintenance  and  administration,  and 
to  expend  the  grant  of  $ioo  for  books  to  each  town  comply- 
ing with  the  necessary  conditions. 

Advisory  Work.  The  state  librarian  as  representa- 
tive of  the  trustees,  does  much  voluntary  advisory  work 
through  correspondence  and  library  meetings.  As  the  law 
does  not  provide  for  supervisory  powers,  all  this  work  is 
suggestive  only. 

Organizing.  New  libraries  in  towns  not  already  hav- 
ing a  public  library  are  organized  with  state  aid  and  under 
the  supervision  of  the  trustees  of  the  State  Library. 

Direct  Aid.  The  state  gives  $ioo  worth  of  books  to 
each  library  upon  its  establishment  in  towns  not  already 
having  public  libraries. 

"  Documents.  The  State  Library  receives  the  surplus 
copies  of  all  state  publications  and  is  authorized  to  dispose 
of  them  by  sale  or  exchange  or  otherwise  for  the  benefit 
of  the  library.  The  distribution  to  the  public  libraries  of  the 
state  is  made  by  the  secretary  of  state  before  the  surplus  is 
turned  over  to  the  State  Library. 


LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

William  D.  Chandler,  Chairman,  Concord. 
William  F.  Whitcher,  Haverhill. 
William  J.  Starr,  Manchester. 

Executive  Officer: 

Arthur  H.   Chase,  State  Librarian,  Secretary,  Concord. 


New  Jersey 

The  Public  Library  Commission  assists  public  libraries  by 
giving  advice  and  personal  assistance  in  organization,  dis- 
tributes state  aid  to  libraries,  and  has  charge  of  the  system 
of  traveling  libraries,  and  the  libraries  in  the  penal  insti- 
tutions. 

Advisory  Work.  The  organizer  and  other  repre- 
sentatives of  the  Commission  visit  towns  to  confer  with  the 
librarian,  to  meet  with  library  boards,  to  present  the  library 
question  at  popular  meetings  or  before  the  city  council  and 
to  address  Women's  clubs.  Special  assistance  has  been  given 
in  book-selection  by  distributing  the  A.  L.  A.  Book-list  and 
other  lists  published  by  different  libraries  and  commissions, 
and  also  by  revision  of  lists  for  individual  libraries  and  mak- 
ing out  lists. 

Instruction.  The  Summer  School  of  elementary 
library  science  is  held  at  Asbury  Park  each  year.  The  com- 
ing Spring  the  Commission  will  hold  a  week's  institute,  this 
to  be  in  the  nature  of  advanced  work  for  students  of  the 
school  and  such  other  people  in  the  state  as  may  desire  it. 
The  program  will  consist  of  lectures  by  some  one  of  national 
reputation  on  some  of  the  larger  phases  of  library  work, 
and  round  table  discussions  of  actual  problems  which  have 
confronted  librarians.  These  round  tables  will  be  conducted 
by  authorities  in  each  line,  one  being  devoted  to  cataloging, 
one  to  reference  work,  etc.     The  organizers  have  cooperated 


NEW  JERSEY.  61 

with  the  New  Jersey  Library  Association  in  two  meetings 
and  have  held  conferences  and  round  tables  in  various  places 
for  librarians  in  different  districts.  A  correspondence  course 
in  library  economy  has  been  carried  on  for  the  benefit  of 
those  librarians  who  could  not  attend  the  school.  The  plan 
has  been  tried  with  success  of  taking  librarians  and  assist- 
ants into  the  State  Library  for  two  or  more  weeks  to  give 
them  an  idea  of  the  work  as  a  whole. 

Organizing.  The  organizer  visits  libraries  to  assist 
the  local  librarian  in  the  work  of  organizing  or  reorganizing, 
spending  as  much  time  in  each  place  as  is  necessary  to 
teach  the  librarian  how  to  continue  the  work. 

Direct  Aid.  $ioo  is  given  to  each  library  having  less 
than  5,000  volumes,  upon  its  establishment  under  municipal 
control. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  traveling  libraries  originally 
loaned  by  the  State  Library  were  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  Commission  in  1904.  The  arrangement  of  the  libraries 
has  been  so  changed  that  instead  of  being  made  up  of  col- 
lections of  fifty  books  on  varied  subjects,  not  subject  to 
change,  the  books  are  chosen  to  suit  the  one  who  applies. 
Traveling  libraries  are  loaned  to  any  community  upon  ap- 
plication of  ten  taxpayers,  and  to  any  public  library  upon 
application  of  the  trustees.  An  annual  fee  of  $1.00  is  charged 
to  cover  cost  of  transportation. 

Talks  on  traveling  library  work  have  been  made  to  far- 
mers' granges,  and  the  Commission  has  placed  the  libraries 
and  aroused  interest  in  rural  communities  with  the  assistance 
of  the  State  Grange  of  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

The  Commission  has  charge  of  the  system  of  traveling  li- 
braries for  the  state  and  county  penal  institutions.  These 
consist  of  groups  sent  to  each  institution  made  up  of  a 
varying  number  of  books  to  fit  the  number  of  inmates  in 
the  prisons  or  jails  or  reformatories. 

Besides  the  collections  sent  out  special  loans  of  books 
for  study  or  research,  are  made  to  individuals  or  to  groups  of 


€2  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

people,    the    books    often    being    borrowed    from    larger    li- 
braries for  this  purpose. 

The  two  organizers  of  the  Commission  are  on  the  staff 
of  lecturers  for  the  Farmer's  institutes  and  teachers'  county 
institutes. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

W.  C.  Kimball,  Passaic,  chairman. 
M.  Taylor   Pyne,   Princeton. 
Dr.  E.  C.  Richardson,  Princeton. 
Dr.  Everett  T.  Tomlinson,  Elizabeth. 
Howard  M.  Cooper,  Camden. 

Executive  Staff: 

Henry  C.  Buchanan,  Secretary,  Trenton. 
Miss  Sarah  B.  Askew,  Organizer. 
Miss  Edna  B.  Pratt,  Organizer. 


New  York 

The  Division  of  Educational  Extension  of  the  New  York 
State  Education  Department,  under  supervision  of  the  Di- 
rector of  the  State  Library,  has  in  charge  all  the  library  in- 
terests of  the  state. 

Advisory  Work.  The  work  of  supervising  and  pro- 
moting the  organization  of  public  libraries  passes  under  the 
hands  of  the  Division  of  Educational  Extension  and  each 
registered  library  is  visited  officially  every  year.  This  is 
the  most  important  work  of  the  division.  Much  study  has 
heen  given  to  library  buildings,  and  plans  are  suggested  and 
revised.  Annual  lists  of  best  books  are  issued  by  the  State 
Library. 

Instruction.  The  New  York  State  Library  School 
is  under  the  care  of  the  Education  Department  and  the  Di- 
rector of  the  State  Library.  A  six  weeks'  summer  school  is 
:also  held.  The  division  has  cooperated  with  the  New  York  Li- 


NEW  YORK.  63 

brary    Association    in    holding    local    library    institutes,    em- 
phasizing instruction  in  practical  library  work. 

In  1910,  library  round  table  meetings  were  held  in  thirty- 
one  places,  each  bringing  together  a  small  group  of  librarians 
for  informal  discussion  and  comparison  of  views  and  ex- 
periences.   This  plan  will  be  continued. 

Organizing.  There  are  two  state  organizers  who 
give  their  time  to  the  libraries,  remaining  not  more  than 
two  weeks  in  one  place.  Their  services  are  in  demand  for 
months  in  advance.  In  each  case  the  library  served  pays  all 
expenses  of  the  organizer  while  with  them,  and  it  is  ex- 
pected that  others  besides  the  librarian  will  take  part  in  the 
work  and  learn  library  methods  and  ideals  from  their  visi- 
tor. 

In  addition  to  the  organizing  work  done  by  special  invi- 
tation, brief  calls  are  made  on  many  other  libraries;  the 
organizers  hold  round  table  meetings  with  groups  of  li- 
brarians and  visit  teachers,  study  clubs  and  institutes  for 
farmers'  wives  and  cooperate  with  any  movement  for  the 
promotion  of  good  reading. 

Direct  Aid.  Five  dollars  to  $100  each  year  may  be 
paid  to  each  registered  free  library  for  buying  approved 
books  on  condition  that  an  equal  sum  be  raised  locally  for 
the  same  purpose. 

Traveling  Libraries.  Libraries  for  general  read- 
ing containing  a  fixed  proportion  of  books  on  the  various  sub- 
jects are  lent  to  any  community.  Each  group  contains  25, 
50  or  100  volumes,  some  including  only  older,  standard  books 
and  others  the  more  recent  publications.  Children's  books 
are  in  separate  groups  of  twenty-five  volumes.  A  set  of 
annotated  lists  showing  the  contents  of  each  library  is 
supplied  on  request.  In  addition  to  the  fixed  groups,  there 
is  a  large  additional  collection  of  books  from  which  selec- 
tions may  be  made.  This  includes  maps  and  charts  but  not 
school  text-books,  dictionaries  or  cyclopedias.  The  catalog 
of  this  collection  in  not  in  print,  but  lists  of  approved  books 


64  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

will  be  lent  to  borrowers  on  request.  Selections  are  made  as 
far  as  possible  from  these  lists,  but  other  books  will  be  fur- 
nished if  approved. 

Libraries  on  special  subjects  and  in  some  cases  the  li- 
libraries  for  general  reading  are  selected  from  the  miscella- 
neous collection. 

Traveling  libraries  may  be  lent  to : 

(i)  Any  institution  under  state  supervision  on  applica- 
tion of   its   responsible   officers. 

(2)  Any  registered  study  club  or  extension  center  on  ap- 
plication of  the  secretary  and  the  guaranty  of  a  real  estate 
owner. 

(3)  Any  community  without  a  public  library,  on  applica- 
tion of  five  resident  taxpayers. 

(4)  Any  club,  grange,  church,  summer  school,  business 
corporation  or  other  recorded  organization  needing  books  for 
reading  or  study,  on  application  of  the  responsible  officer 
and  guaranty  of  a  real  estate  owner. 

No  fee  is  charged  for  the  first  25  volumes  where  books 
are  available  to  all  the  members  of  the  community.  When 
more  than  25  volumes  are  ordered  a  fee  of  50  cents  is 
charged  for  each  additional  25  volumes. 

For  study  clubs,  granges,  private  institutions,  etc.,  the 
fee  is  $2  for  25  volumes  and  $1  for  each  additional  25  vol- 
umes sent  in  the  same  shipment. 

Transportation  charges  to  and  from  the  nearest  rail- 
road, boat  or  stage  office  are  in  all  cases  paid  by  the  State. 
Local  cartage  is  paid  by  the  borrower. 

Libraries  are  lent  for  six  months,  but  schools  and  regis- 
tered study  clubs  whose  courses  of  study  last  longer  than 
six  months  are  permitted  to  retain  their  libraries  as  late  as 
June  I  of  each  year. 

The    Division   also    encourages    work   among   literary   or- 
ganizations by  fixing  a  standard  for  registry.     Assistance  is 
given  in  planning  courses  of  study  and  by  lending  traveling 
libraries.    The  requirements  for  registry  are: 
(i)     Five  or  more  members. 

(2)     An   annual   report  on  official  blanks  to  be  trans- 
mitted before  July  i   of  each  year. 


NEW  YORK.  65 

V 

(3)  A  course  of  study  approved  by  the  Division  of 
Educational  Extension.  The  primary  requisite  for  such  ap- 
proval is  that  the  subject  be  sufficiently  limited  in  scope  to 
permit  of  its  intelligent  study  within  the  time  allotted,  which 
must  be  not  less  than  ten  weeks. 

The  house  library  of  ten  volumes  lent  for  three  months 
for  a  fee  of  $1.00,  covering  transportation  both  ways,  is 
sent  to  any  household  in  New  York  not  having  convenient 
free  public  library  privileges.  The  application  must  be  signed 
by  some  real  estate  owner  who  guarantees  the  return  of  the 
books  in  accordance  with  the  rules  and  to  make  good  any 
losses  or  injuries  beyond  reasonable  wear.  These  house 
libraries  are  made  up  to  suit  each  individual  case. 

Publications : 
Annual    report,    (in   Report   of    Director    of    State    Li- 
brary.) 
New  York  Libraries,  bulletin  of  32  pages,  issued  quar- 

terly. 
Tentative  list  of  500  to  1,000  volumes  of  preceding  year. 
Annotated  list  of  250  best  books  of  preceding  year. 
Bulletin  of  traveling  libraries. 
Bulletin  of  library  building  plans. 
Directions  for  the  librarian  of  a  small  library. 
Buying  list  of  books  for  small  libraries. 

Staff  of  Division  of  Educational  Eixtension: 

Wm.  R.  Eastman,  Chief  of  Division,  Albany. 
Asa  Wynkoop,  Inspector  of  Public  Libraries. 
Miss  Anna  R.  Phelps,  Organizer, 
Miss  Caroline  Webster,  Organizer. 

Miss  Grace  L.  Betteridge,  Assistant  in  charge  of  travel- 
ing libraries  and  study  clubs. 
Charles  F.   Porter,  Assistant. 
Miss  Lilian  Callahan,  Assistant. 

New  York  State  Library  School: 
James  I.  Wyer,  Jr.,  Director  of  State  Library,  Director. 
Frank  K.  Walter,  Vice  Director. 
Miss  Katherine  Dame,  Instructor. 
Miss  E.  M.  Sanderson,  Registrar. 


66  library  commission  hand-book. 

North  Carolina 

The  North  Carolina  Library  Commission  was  created  by 
the  General  Assembly  of  1909  and  active  work  was  begun 
September  15  of  the  same  year.  The  Commission  consists  of 
five  members,  two  of  whom  are  appointed  by  the  North  Car- 
olina Library  Association  and  one  by  the  Governor ;  the 
State  Librarian  and  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruc 
tion  are  members  ex-officio. 

The  Commission  aids  in  organizing  new  libraries  and 
in  improving  those  already  organized;  it  gives  advice  and 
assistance  to  all  libraries  in  the  state  and  to  all  communities 
which  may  propose  to  establish  libraries  as  to  the  selection 
of  books,  cataloging,  maintenance  and  other  details  of  li- 
brary management;  and  it  maintains  a  periodical  exchange 
and  a  clearing  house  for  state  reports.  The  Commission  is 
authorized  to  establish  and  maintain  a  system  of  traveling 
libraries,  but  owing  to  lack  of  funds  this  work  has  not  been 
undertaken.  An  effort  will  be  made  to  secure  an  apporpria- 
tion  for  traveling  libraries  from  the  next  General  Assembly. 

Instruction.  In  addition  to  the  instruction  given 
in  the  Commission's  office  and  on  personal  visits,  the  Com- 
mission conducts  a  summer  school  for  library  training  as  a 
regular  department  of  the  University  of  North  Carolina  Sum- 
mer School,  and  in  connection  with  the  University  Library. 
The  course  covers  a  period  of  six  weeks  and  consists  of  spe- 
cial lectures  on  books  as  tools  and  on  the  use  of  a  library 
for  the  general  students,  and  of  technical  instruction  in 
classification,  cataloging,  book  selection  and  buying,  reference 
work,  etc.  for  librarians,  and  for  teachers  who  are  in  charge 
of  school  libraries. 

The  North  Carolina  Library  Bulletin,  issued  quarterly,  is 
published  for  the  benefit  of  librarians,  trustees,  and  all  in- 
terested in  library  extension  work.  Other  library  literature, 
including  the  A.  L.  A.  handbooks  on  Essentials  in  library 
administration  and  Why  do  we  need  a  public  library  is  dis- 
tributed as  occasion  arises. 


NORTH  CAROLINA.  67 

Periodical  Exchange.  The  periodical  file,  con- 
taining the  lists  of  magazines  which  the  various  libraries 
have  for  sale  or  exchange  and  of  those  which  they  wish  to 
procure,  enables  the  Commission  to  notify  the  librarians 
when  the  wants  or  duplicates  of  one  library  are  matched  by 
those  of  another.  Terms  and  details  are  arranged  by  the 
libraries  making  the  exchange  and  the  magazines  are  sent 
direct  from  one  library  to  another.  The  part  of  the  Com- 
mission in  the  transaction  is  merely  to  serve  as  a  bureau  of 
information. 

State    Reports,    The    Commission    has    established    a 

clearing  house  for  the  reports  issued  by  state  officers.  Un- 
til this  was  done  there  had  never  been  a  center  to  which 
surplus  reports  of  the  various  departments  could  be  sent  and 
to  which  requests  from  students  and  libraries  both  within 
and  without  the  state  could  be  referred. 

School  Libraries.  The  development  of  school  li- 
braries is  a  special  feature  of  the  work  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Library  Commission.  It  has  established  a  close  connec- 
tion with  the  schools  by  giving  advice  on  the  care  and  use 
of  school  libraries,  assistance  in  starting  the  necessary  rec- 
ords and  help  in  the  selection  and  purchase  of  books.  A 
bulletin  on  school  libraries,  prepared  by  the  secretary  of 
the  Commission,  has  been  published  and  distributed  by  the 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  to  all  schools  in  the 
state.  Other  literature  on  the  subject  is  distributed  by  the 
Commission  and  talks  are  given  at  teachers'  meetings  to 
arouse  the  interest  of  superintendents  and  teachers  in  the 
building  up  of  good  school  libraries.  A  special  effort  is 
made  to  bring  the  public  schools  and  the  public  libraries 
into  close  cooperation.  The  summer  school  affords  an  ex- 
cellent opportunity  for  emphasizing  the  importance  of  such 
cooperation. 

Publications :  ^ 
North  Carolina  Library  Bulletin,  December  1909  to  date. 
First   biennial    report,    1909-1910. 
Circular  no.   i — The  public  library. 


63  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Louis    R.   Wilson,    Chairman. 

Mrs.   Sol  Weil,  Vice-Chairman. 

Charles  Lee   Smith,  Treasurer. 

J.   Y.   Joyner. 

Miles  O.   Sherrill. 
Executive  Officer: 

Miss  Minnie  W.  Leatherman,  Secretary,  Raleigh. 


North  Dakota 

The  legislature  of  1907  created  a  Public  Library  Com- 
mission consisting  of  three  members;  the  president  of  the 
North  Dakota  Library  Association  and  the  Superintendent 
of  Public  Instruction,  ex-officio,  and  one  member  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  governor. 

The  Legislature  of  1909  amended  this  law  adding  two 
members  to  the  Commission,  the  secretary  of  the  State  His- 
torical Society,  ex-officio  and  one  member  to  be  appointed 
by  the  governor. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  Commission  to  circulate  traveling 
libraries,  to  give  advice  and  instruction  upon  any  matter 
pertaining  to  the  organization,  maintenance  or  administra- 
tion of  libraries,  to  encourage  the  formation  of  libraries 
where  none  exist,  to  keep  statistics  of  the  free  public  libraries 
of  North  Dakota  and  to  maintain  an  educational  reference 
library  and  a  legislative  reference  bureau  for  the  information 
and  assistance  of  the  members  of  the  legislative  assembly. 

Advisory  Work.  The  Commission  promotes  library 
interest  in  the  state  by  correspondence,  by  contributions  to 
newspapers  and  by  sending  a  worker  to  assist  in  organiz- 
ing libraries.  It  helps  in  planning  library  buildings,  in 
selecting  and  purchasing  books,  in  securing  trained  librarians 
and  gives  advice  on  any  subject  pertaining  to  library  work. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  system  of  traveling  li- 
braries   formerly   circulated  by  the   State   Superintendent  of 


NORTH   DAKOTA.  69 

Public  Instruction  is  now  in  the  care  of  the  Library  Commis- 
sion. These  libraries  are  in  fixed  groups  and  contain  books 
for  general  reading  and  study  for  adults  and  children.  They 
are  sent  for  six  months  to  communities,  libraries,  schools, 
colleges,  universities,  study  clubs,  and  library  associations 
free  of  cost  except  for  transportation,  and  under  such  rules 
and  regulations  as  protect  the  property  of  the  state  and  best 
increase  the  efficiency  of  the  service. 

In  1910  especial  attention  has  been  given  to  the  formation 
of  Farmers'  libraries.  These  are  fixed  groups  of  twelve  to 
fifteen  technical  books  on  farming  and  are  sent  on  applica- 
tion of  three  farmers  who  agree  to  circulate  them  in  their 
vicinity. 

Educational  Reference  Library.  From  the  general 
loan  collection  of  about  three  thousand  books  on  special  sub- 
jects, study  clubs,  teachers,  schools,  debating  societies,  and 
individuals  may  borrow  books  free  of  cost  except  for  pay- 
ment of  transportation  both  ways. 

Legislative  Reference  Work.  The  Legislature 
of  1907  provided  for  the  maintenance  of  a  legislative  refer- 
ence bureau  as  a  branch  of  the  work  of  the  Commis- 
sion. The  active  organization  of  this  department  was  be- 
gun in  1908  by  the  librarian  and  director.  The  work  of 
collecting  data  on  political,  legal  and  economic  questions  has 
been  vigorously  continued  ever  since.  It  was  found  during 
the  session  of  1909  that  a  bureau  of  this  kind  can  be  of  much 
service  to  members  of  the  legislature  and  the  department 
proved  popular  with  members  of  both  houses.  The  aim  is 
to  put  within  convenient  reach  of  the  legislator,  in  classified 
and  condensed  form,  such  information  as  will  enable  him' 
to  know  the  economic  conditions  in  other  states,  the  laws 
as  there  in  force  and  as  they  actually  meet  the  conditions 
that  called  for  their  enactment.  Books,  reports,  pamphlets 
and  clippings  from  newspapers,  and  periodicals  on  various 
subjects  of  state  interest  have  been  collected  in  the  library, 
together  with  comparative  law  briefs  and  digests  of  interest 
to   different   members   of   the   legislature   and   state   officials. 


70  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

All  legislative  bills  introduced  in  the  last  three  sessions  have 
been  filed  and  carefully  indexed. 

Publications: 

Laws  of  North  Dakota  relating  to  Free  Public  Libra- 
ries and  the  Public  Library  Commission,   1909. 

North  Dakota  Public  Library  Commission. 

Legislative    Reference   Library. 

Biennial    report,    1907-08. 

Suggestive  list  of  books  for  public  school  libraries, 
1909. 

Facts  about  traveling  libraries,  1909. 

New  Year  Greetings,    1909. 

Free    books,    1910. 

Permanent  state  tax  commissions,   1910. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Dr.  O.  G.  Libby,  Grand  Forks,  Secretary  of  State  His- 
torical Society,  ex-officio. 

E.  J.  Taylor,  Bismarck,  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruc- 
tion, ex-ofncio. 

Dr.  Max  Batt,  Fargo,  President  North  Dakota  Library 
Association,  ex-officio. 

A.  E.  Sheets,  Lakota. 

Mrs.  Clara  L.  Darrow,  Fargo. 

Executive  Staff: 

Mrs.    Minnie   Clarke   Budlong,   Secretary  and   director, 

Bismarck. 
Sveinbjorn  Johnson,  Legislative  Reference  Librarian. 


Ohio 

The  first  Board  of  Library  Commissioners,  under  the 
present  law,  was  appointed  April  22,  1896. 

The  Commission  has  entire  charge  of  the  State  Library 
and  has  done  much  to  popularize  that  institution  and  extend 
its  sphere  of  activity.   It  is  now  open  to  all  citizens.       Its 


OHIO.  71 

service  through  the  mails  is  fapidly  extending.  It  is  not 
only  a  reference  library  for  state  officials  and  members  of 
the  General  Assembly,  but  also  the  free  public  library  of  the 
entire   state. 

Advisory  Work.  The  Commission  is  by  law  author- 
ized to  give  advice  in  relation  to  "the  maintenance  and  ad- 
ministration" of  public  libraries.  This  authority  has  been 
liberally  interpreted  and  substantial  assistance  has  been  given 
to  those  seeking  such  aid.  The  law  was  amended  in  1906 
and  the  employment  of  a  library  organizer  is  now  authorized. 

Organizing.  At  the  1908  session  of  the  General  As- 
sembly there  was  made  an  appropriation  of  $3,000,  which 
covers  all  expenses  of  the  department  of  library  organiza- 
tion. The  Board  of  Commissioners  have  specified  the  duties 
of  the  organizer  as  follows : 

To  give  aid  and  counsel  by  correspondence  and  personal 
visits  to  cities,  towns  and  communities  proposing  to  establish 
libraries. 

To  assist  in  reorganizing  old  libraries  according  to  modern 
methods,  which  will  insure  greater  efficiency  and  the  best 
results. 

To  gather  statistics  of  Ohio  libraries  for  the  use  of  this 
Commission  and  the  guidance  and  information  of  trustees 
and  others. 

To  give  advice  and  assistance  in  planning  library  build- 
ings and  collect  material  on  this  subject  for  the  use  of  the 
library  board. 

To  prepare  an  annual  report  to  the  Board  of  Library  Com- 
missioners on  the  general  library  condition  of  the  state. 

Within  the  past  two  years  the  library  organizer  and  an 
assistant  have  been  at  work  in  the  discharge  of  these  duties. 
Visits  have  been  made  to  public  libraries,  aid  has  been  given 
in  the  establishment  of  new  libraries,  and  a  number  of  libra- 
ries have  been  partially  or  completely  reorganized  by  the  in- 
troduction of  modern  methods.  Many  district  meetings  have 
been  held  in  different  sections  of  the  state.  These  have  beeri 
well  attended  by  librarians  and  those  interested  in  library  work. 


72  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Monthly  Bulletin.  In  April,  1905,  the  Commis- 
sion commenced  the  publication  of  a  monthly  bulletin.  This 
is  devoted  chiefly  to  lists  of  important  current  additions  to 
the  State  Library.  Some  numbers  cover  special  topics,  as 
Initiative  and  referendum,  Primary  elections,  Free  railway 
passes,  Capital  punishment,  Ohio's  state  flower,  Ohio's  jewels. 
Seal  of  Ohio  and  the  Northwest  territory.  Recently  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  space  in  the  Bulletin  has  been  de- 
voted to  district  library  meetings  and  other  news  items  re- 
lating to  the  work  of  the  different  departments  of  the  State 
Library, 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  traveling  library  is  ad- 
ministered as  a  department  of  the  State  Library.  The  so- 
called  "flexible"  system,  as  distinguished  from  "fixed  col- 
lections" has  been  used  since  the  issue  of  the  first  traveling 
library  in  Ohio.  Collections  varying  in  number  of  volumes 
are  sent  to  women's  clubs,  schools,  granges,  public  libraries, 
independent  study  clubs,  religious  organizations,  men's  clubs, 
and  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  These  are  loaned  for  three  months, 
with  privilege  of  renewal,  the  transportation  both  ways  be- 
ing paid  by  the  borrowers.  The  traveling  library  depart- 
ment issues  small  collections  of  books  on  agriculture,  not 
exceeding  eight  volumes  each  to  individual  patrons,  and  other 
books  are  loaned  to  individuals  for  a  period  of  four  weeks. 

Legislative  Reference  Department.  The  General 
Assembly  in  1910  enacted  a  law  authorizing  the  board 
of  library  commissioners  to  establish,  in  connection  with  the 
Ohio  State  Library,  a  "legislative  reference  and  information 
department"  and  appropriated  $3,000  for  its  support.  The 
work  of  the  new  department  has  been  inaugurated  and  those 
in  charge  hope  to  render  substantial  service  at  the  coming 
session  of  the  General  Assembly.  It  is  their  aim  to  popularize 
this  service  and  extend  it  to  a  wider  patronage  through  the 
public  libraries  of  the  state. 

Publications : 

Publications  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  1896. 
Lafayette  day  leaflet,  1899. 


OREGON.  ,  78 

Newspapers  and  periodicals  in  Ohio  State  Library,  other 
libraries  of  the  state,  and  lists  of  Ohio  newspapers  in 
the  Library  of  Congress  and  the  Library  of  the  His- 
torical Society  of  Wisconsin,  1902. 

Sketches  of  Ohio  libraries,  1902. 

Early  newspapers  in  Ohio,  1902. 

Duplicate  magazines  in  Ohio  libraries,  1904. 

Monthly  bulletin.     June,  1905-  date. 

Initiative  and  referendum,   1907. 

Ohio  emblems  and  monuments,  1907. 

Books  of  interest  to  farmers.  1908. 

The  children's  library.  1908. 

The  library  movement  in  Ohio.  1909. 

Ohio  canals. 

Board  of  Library  Commissioners: 
J.  F.  McGrew,  Springfield. 
John  McSweeney,  Wooster. 
Frank  N.  Sweitzer,  Canton. 

Executive  Staff: 
C.  B.  Galbreath,  State  Librarian  and  Secretary,  Colum- 
bus. 
Mary  E.  Downey,  Organizer. 
Sabra  W.  Vought,  Assistant  Organizer. 
Mrs.  Ida  K.  Galbreath,  Supt.  of  Traveling  Library  Dept. 
George  H.  Edge,  Assistant,  Legislative  Reference  Dept. 


Oregon 

The  Oregon  Library  Commission  is  authorized  by  law 
to  give  advice  to  all  schools,  free  and  other  public  libraries, 
and  to  all  communities  which  may  propose  to  establish  them, 
to  maintain  a  system  of  traveling  libraries,  to  publish  lists 
and  circulars  of  information,  to  conduct  a  summer  school 
of  library  instruction  and  a  clearing  house  for  free  gift  to 
local  libraries.  Its  regular  work  far  exceeds  these  provisions. 


74  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Advisory  Work.  The  Commission  works  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  public  libraries  in  localities  able  to  support 
them,  visits  libraries  for  the  purpose  of  giving  advice,  dis- 
tributes library  literature  for  use  in  newspaper  articles  or 
meetings  for  arousing  interest  in  libraries,  gives  advice  and 
assistance  in  planning  library  buildings,  helps  in  book-selec- 
tion and  purchase. 

Instruction.  A  summer  library  school  was  con-* 
ducted  by  the  Commission  in  1906,  at  the  State  University.  A 
four-weeks'  course  was  given,  covering  the  essentials  of 
technical  work,  use  of  reference  books,  bibliographical  aids, 
and  selection  of  books.  Since  that  time  no  session  has  been 
held,  as  the  number  of  small  libraries  in  the  State  seems  not 
to  justify  the  effort  and  expense,  and  Oregon  depends  upon 
the  schools  of  neighboring  States.  The  secretary  and  librarian 
visit  libraries  for  the  purpose  of  giving  instruction  and  in- 
structional literature  is  distributed  to  librarians  and  trustees. 

Organizing.  The  Commission  gives  necessary  help  to 
small  libraries  in  organizing  without  charge,  in  so  far  as  time 
and  funds  permit.  It  is  expected  that  each  library  shall,  if 
possible,  bear  the  expense. 

There  are  so  few  public  libraries  in  Oregon  and  so  few 
towns  pay  enough  to  support  libraries  that  the  organization 
work  of  the  Commission  is  not  heavy.  The  State  University, 
State  library,  and  the  State  Agricultural  College  have  secured 
trained  librarians  and  the  libraries  of  these  schools  have  been 
organized.  All  state  institutions  are  centered  at  Salem,  the 
headquarters  of  the  Commission,  and  a  special  effort  is  made 
to  secure  and  make  effective  the  libraries  for  the  charitable, 
penal  and  reformatory  institutions. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  Legislature  of  1905 
authorized  the  Library  Commission  to  purchase  and  operate 
traveling  libraries,  but  no  appropriation  was  made  for  buying 
books.  The  books  were  bought  with  gifts  from  individuals 
and  with  subscriptions  of  associations  receiving  the  libraries. 
In  1907  the  appropriation  was  increased  to  allow  for  purchase 
of  traveling  libraries. 


OREGON.  75 

Libraries  are  loaned  for  six  months  to  villages,  schools, 
granges  and  country  communities  upon  application  of  the  of- 
ficers of  an  association,  school  or  grange,  or  of  ten  tax-payers 
who  are  required  to  provide  shelving  for  the  books  in  a  suit- 
able place  and  to  pay  all  transportation  charges. 

The  libraries  are  made  up  in  groups  of  fifty  volumes  each 
of  the  best  popular  books  for  adults  and  children.  They  are 
shipped  in  stout  cases  and  are  accompanied  by  catalogs  and 
supplies  necessary  for  keeping  records  of  circulation. 

Debate  Libraries.  In  response  to  requests  from  de- 
bating societies  for  material  upon  some  special  questions,  the 
Commission  has  made  up  a  number  of  small  libraries  for 
debating  societies  and  for  students.  The  State  High  School 
Debating  League  has  been  organized  as  a  result  of  this  work; 
and  circulars  are  printed  each  year  giving  lists  of  questions 
and  suggestions  for  debaters.  These  debate  libraries  con- 
tain books,  periodical  articles,  copies  of  debates  in  Congress, 
laws,  pamphlets  published  by  societies  organized  to  promote 
some  special  reform,  briefs  and  bibliographies.  The  libra- 
ries are  limited  to  public  questions  of  importance,  and  there 
is  a  constant  and  increasing  demand  for  them,  especially  from 
the  high  schools  of  the  state. 

Commencement  Parts.  A  direct  outgrowth  of  the 
debate  libraries  is  a  collection  of  material  for  essays,  orations 
and  commencement  parts.  Circulars  are  annually  sent  to 
school  principals  suggesting  subjects  for  commencement  parts, 
and  offering  to  loan  material  for  preparatory  reading. 

School  Entertainments.  A  collection  of  mate- 
rial for  special  day  school  programs  has  also  been  made, 
including  recitations,  dialogues  and  character  plays,  and  this 
is  very  popular  for  schools  and  granges. 

Grange  Libraries.  The  Commission  also  makes  up 
libraries  for  the  grange  programs,  working  in  cooperation 
with  the  State  Lecturer  and  sending  to  each  grange  each 
month  a  package  of  material  for  preparation  of  the  program 


76  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

for  the  following  meeting.  There  are  127  granges  in  the 
state,  with  an  aggregate  membership  of  about  10,000  farmers, 
and  the  Commission  aims  to  supply  study  collections  to  all 
of  these.  The  state  is  divided  into  nine  districts,  all  of  the 
granges  in  each  district  having  the  same  program  each  month, 
requiring  many  duplicate  libraries.  The  program  for  each 
meeting  contains  at  least  one  agricultural  topic,  and  one  legis- 
lative topic  of  importance  because  of  initiative  legislation  or 
proposed  measures  for  the  legislature  or  for  the  people. 

Teachers'  Professional  Library.  Books  especial- 
ly adapted  for  the  use  of  teachers  in  the  rural  schools 
have  been  bought  in  quantities.  These  are  loaned  in  groups 
of  ten  or  fifteen  to  the  county  superintendents  to  distribute 
among  their  teachers.  The  Commission  also  has  a  general 
collection  of  educational  literature  which  is  much  used.  The 
plan  of  concentrating  upon  the  reading  of  a  single  simple  yet 
valuable  book  in  each  county  each  year  or  quarter,  has,  how- 
ever, proven  more  practically  benefical  than  that  of  loaning 
generally  upon  demand. 

Rural  School  Reading.  An  attempt  is  made  to 
encourage  reading  aloud  of  best  books  in  rural  and  village 
schools.  The  Commission  makes  loans  for  this  purpose 
from  its  model  library,  and  buys  certain  books  in  quantity  for 
county  adoption  for  this  purpose,  utilizing  the  collections  in 
different  counties  each  year. 

School  Libraries.  When  the  law  creating  the  Com- 
mission was  passed  the  state  school  library  law  was  amended, 
making  it  obligatory  for  the  Commission  to  compile  a  list 
of  books  for  school  libraries  and  rules  for  the  care  of  such 
libraries.  The  ten.  cent  tax  for  each  child  of  school  age  was 
made  mandatory  and  county  superintendents  directed  to  noti- 
fy the  Commission  of  the  amount  allowed  for  each  school 
district.  A  few  counties  exceeded  the  ten-cent  limit  in  1906; 
since  that  time  most  counties  have  levied  a  tax  in  excess  of 
that  required  by  law,  and  have  sent  extra  funds  raised  by  the 
districts.     Purchase  must  be  made  from  the  Commission  list 


OREGON.  77 

and  through  the  Commission.  This  brings  very  close  connec- 
tion with  the  schools  which  report  to  the  Commission  upon 
the  books  in  their  libraries  and  send  their  selections  for  an- 
nual purchases.  It  also  necessitates  work  at  the  teachers'  in- 
stitutes. Regular  instruction  on  the  use  and  care  of  the  school 
libraries  and  on  the  use  of  the  library  in  teaching  geography 
has  been  given  in  nearly  every  institute  in  the  state  and  con- 
tinues annually.  The  Commission  has  a  series  of  school  libra- 
ry publications  to  be  used  at  the  institutes  in  making  possible 
systematic  use  of  school  libraries.  The  Commission  is  also 
working  at  institutes  to  organize  teachers'  reading  circles  and 
to  have  county  adoption  annually  of  one  good  book  for  read- 
ing aloud  in  country  schools. 

Legislative  Reference  Work.  The  Commission  has  no 
regular  department  for  legislative  reference  work,  but 
it  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  most  important  material  for 
the  state,  and  in  the  six  months  previous  to  the  Legislature 
and  during  the  session  collect  for  members  much  material 
upon  laws  and  proposed  laws.  The  resources  of  the  Com- 
mission have  been  decidedly  limited,  but  in  co-operation  with 
the  State  Law  Library  it  has  been  possible  to  supply  most  of 
the  material  asked  for.  The  work  connects  with  the  debate 
library  plan,  as  much  of  the  material  collected  for  the  Legis- 
lature is  loaned  to  debating  societies  between  sessions.  As 
Oregon  has  the  initiative  plan  of  law  making,  this  service 
is  extended  to  all  citizens  and  is  especially  in  demand  before 
general  elections.  The  work  with  debating  societies  and 
granges  is  largely  confined  to  subjects  of  importance  in  local, 
state,  and  national  legislation. 

Libraries  and  State  Institutions.  The  Commission,  at 
its  organization,  began  some  work  for  the  libraries  of  the 
state  institutions,  sending  an  organizer  and  making  a  full 
report  on  these  libraries  to  the  board  in  charge  of  the  insti- 
tutions. The  library  at  the  prison  has  received  the  most  at- 
tention. 

All  state  schools  and  institutions  have  the  privilege  of 
buying  books  for  their  libraries  from  the  state  school  list  pre- 


78  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

pared  by  the  Commission  for  the  public  schools  of  the  state, 
being  given  the  advantage  of  the  school  price.  A  deposit  of 
$50.00,  the  estimated  cost  of  one  fixed  traveling  library,  with 
the  Library  Commission  entitles  the  state  institutions  to  the 
use  of  the  traveling  libraries. 

The  organizer  employed  by  the  Library  Commission,  or- 
ganized the  libraries  of  the  State  Normal  Schools  and  in- 
structed the  school  and  the  local  librarian  in  library  methods. 
The  work  was  done  at  the  request  of  the  State  Normal  School 
Board  of  Regents  and  the  same  methods  were  adopted  in  all 
of  the  schools. 

Documents.  A  new  law  passed  in  1907  makes  the 
State  Library  the  distributing  center  for  state  documents  and 
authorizes  the  Commission  to  designate  depositories. 

Publications: 

School  circulars,  1-8. 
Campaign  slips,  1-30. 
Reference  lists,  1-2. 
Book  marks,  1-13. 
Circulars  of  information,  i-ii. 
Home  library  circulars,  i. 
Library  leaflets,  1-2. 
Traveling  library  lists. 
Biennial  reports,  1-2. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Governor  Oswald  West,  Salem. 

L.  A.  Alderman,  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruc- 
tion, Salem. 

P.  L.  Campbell,  President  of  the  University  of  Oregon. 

Miss  Mary  F.  Isom,  Librarian,  Library  Association,  Port- 
land. 

W.  B.  Ayer,  Portland. 

Executive  Officer: 
Miss  Cornelia  Marvin,  Secretary,  Salem. 


pennsylvania.  79 

Pennsylvania 

The  Pennsylvania  Free  Library  Commission  was  estab- 
lished in  1899.  Under  the  operation  of  the  law,  the  work  of 
the  Commission  divides  itself  into  two  parts,  that  of  supervis- 
ing and  encouraging  the  free  library  movement  through  the 
state,  and  that  of  maintaining  a  system  of  traveling  libraries. 

Advisory  Work.  This  department  of  the  work  in- 
cludes the  initial  effort  to  promote  library  work  in  a  new  cen- 
ter followed  by  advice  as  to  library  room,  service,  book  selec- 
tion and  technique.  Assistance  is  given  by  a  representative  of 
the  Commission  in  actual  work  of  organization.  New  libraries 
are  visited  often  and  an  especial  effort  made  to  maintain  a 
close  touch  until  the  library  has  learned  self  confidence.  All 
free  libraries  in  the  state  are  visited  by  a  member  of  the 
Commission  staff  to  give  counsel  on  any  subject  which  affects 
the  good  of  the  library.  Much  emphasis  is  laid  on  choice  of 
books.  The  A.  L.  A.  booklist  is  distributed  to  free  libraries  by 
the  Commission  and  in  addition  help  is  given  through  lists 
prepared  to  meet  special  needs. 

Organizing.  The  Commission  gives  aid  in  the  tech- 
nical side  of  organization  to  old  libraries  needing  re-organiza- 
tion and  to  those  just  starting.  When  trained  service  is  pos- 
sible the  Commission  co-operates  with  the  town  in  securing 
the  right  person  for  the  work.  Whenever  necessary,  the  Com- 
mission sends  a  member  of  its  staff  to  the  library  in  question 
to  teach  the  person  in  charge  proper  methods  and  possibilities 
of  service  by  working  directly  with  the  librarian.  Whenever 
possible  the  town  is  asked  to  bear  the  expense  of  entertain- 
ment of  the  Commission  worker. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  traveling  libraries  are  de- 
signed to  encourage  the  establishment  of  permanent  libraries 
wherever  possible,  and  to  provide  books  for  localities  which 
cannot  support  libraries  of  their  own.  To  this  end,  libraries 
are  of  service  in  four  lines  of  work : 


80  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

(i)  Collections  of  fifty  books  for  general  reading,  whose 
purpose  is  to  provide  free  libraries  for  communities  in  which 
there  is  no  such  institution.  These  are  loaned  for  six  months 
upon  application  of  twelve  taxpayers,  and  payment  of  a 
fee  of  $1.00  to  cover  cost  of  transportation  both  ways. 

(2)  Collections  on  special  subjects  for  study  clubs  and 
reading  circles.  Study  clubs  are  invited  to  send  their  pro- 
grams to  the  Commission  and  reference  libraries  will  be  made 
up  to  cover  the  subjects.  The  number  of  books  varies,  but 
all  books  needed  for  the  proper  study  of  the  subjects  are 
included.  These  libraries  are  loaned  upon  application  of  the 
oflEicers  of  the  club,  for  a  fee  of  $1.00  to  cover  transportation 
and  may  be  kept  until  the  close  of  the  season's  work. 

(3)  Collections  are  provided  for  use  in  connection  with 
the  school  work  through  the  state.  These  libraries  include  fifty 
volumes,  chosen  to  suit  the  grade  for  which  they  are  intend- 
ed, and  designed  to  arouse  interest  in  school  work,  as  well 
as  to  lead  the  children  to  an  appreciation  of  the  better  class 
of  literature.  The  libraries  are  loaned  upon  application  of  the 
officers  of  the  School  Board  for  a  fee  of  $1.00,  and  may  be 
kept  until  the  close  of  the  school  year. 

(4)  Books  are  loaned  to  individuals  who  are  interested 
in  some  particular  line  of  study,  but  are  so  situated  that  they 
cannot  secure  the  books  needed.  These  collections  include 
not  more  than  five  works,  which  may  be  kept  three  months. 
The  applicant  must  be  endorsed  by  a  real  estate  owner,  and 
pay  all  transportation  charges. 

Publications: 

Annual  reports,  1-2. 
Bulletin  No.  i.  Aids  in  book  selection. 
Handbook  of  the  Pennsylvania  Free  Library  Commis- 
sion, 1907. 
Pennsylvania  Library  Notes. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Thomas   L.    Montgomery,    State   Librarian,   Harrisburg, 

Secretary,  ex-officio. 
John  Thomson,  Free  Library  of  Philadelphia,  Treasurer. 


RHODE    ISLAND.  81 

Henry  Belin,  Jr.,  Scranton. 

Horace  E.  Hayden,  Librarian,  Wyoming  Valley  Histori- 
cal Society,  Wilkes-Barre. 
Harrison  W.   Craver,   Pittsburgh. 
Henry  R.  Edmunds,  Philadelphia. 

Executive  Staff: 

Robert  P.  Bliss,  Assistant  Secretary,  Harrisburg. 

Miss  Helen  U.  Price,  Consulting  Librarian. 

Miss  Anna  A.  MacDonald,  Head  of  Traveling  Libraries. 


Rhode  Island 

Free  public  libraries,  as  well  as  public  schools,  are  under 
the  general  supervision  of  the  State  Board  of  Education.  The 
State  Committee  on  Libraries,  composed  of  three  members  of 
the  Board  of  Education,  performs  the  duties  assigned  in  some 
states  to  a  public  library  commission.  The  Committee  appor- 
tions annual  state  aid  to  all  free  public  libraries,  and  in  con- 
nection therewith  it  requires  specific  and  carefully  arranged 
reports  from  librarians.  It  makes  rules  for  the  purchase  of 
books  and  requires  that  all  lists  of  books  purchased  with 
state  money  have  its  approval.  It  promotes  the  organization 
of  new  libraries,  gives  advice  and  assistance  to  librarians, 
maintains  a  system  of  traveling  libraries,  and  publishes  cir- 
culars and  a  quarterly  bulletin. 

Advisory  Work.  The  Committee,  through  its  agents 
and  secretary,  gives  advice  on  the  organization,  maintenance 
and  administration  of  libraries,  participates  in  local  meetings 
held  for  the  promotion  of  library  interests,  and  renders  as- 
sistance and  direction  in  the  establishment  of  new  libraries. 
Though  not  employing  a  regular  library  visitor,  it  engages 
experts  in  library  work  to  visit  libraries  needing  inspection, 
to  give  advice,  and  to  give  addresses  at  library  and  school 
meetings.  It  subscribes  for  library  journals  and  book-lists  and 
distributes  them  to  libraries.  Its  publications  are  designed  to 
give  advice  and  instruction  to  libraries  and  library  trustees. 


82  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Instruction.  The  Committee  has  never  held  library 
institutes  or  summer  schools  for  librarians.  On  request  it  has 
occasionally  employed  a  visitor  skilled  in  library  work  to  give 
personal  instruction  and  guidance  in  library  methods  to  an 
inexperienced  librarian  or  to  a  librarian  desiring  to  know  bet- 
ter methods.  At  teachers'  meetings  it  has  provided  speakers  on 
methods  of  cooperation  of  school  and  library. 

Direct  Aid.  Beginning  in  1875,  the  State,  through  the 
Committee  on  Libraries,  has  distributed  $174,743.60  among 
different  libraries  for  the  purchase  of  approved  books.  It  now 
apportions  annually  $8,500  among  57  free  public  libraries, 
aside  from  $1,000,  appropriated  for  traveling  libraries. 

Aid  is  granted  annually  to  each  library  as  follows :  $50  on 
the  first  500  volumes  in  circulation;  $25  every  additional 
500  volumes;  $200  being  the  maximum  appropriation  for  any 
one  library. 

More  than  half  of  the  appropriation  for  traveling  libraries 
is  expended  as  direct  aid  to  associations  maintaining  and  cir- 
culating libraries. 

Traveling  Libraries.     The  system  of  traveling  libraries 

was  established  by  legislative  enactment  in  1907  with  an  an- 
nual appropriation  of  $1,000.  It  includes  (i)  traveling  libraries 
circulated  by  the  Committee,  (2)  traveling  or  branch  libraries 
distributed  to  schools  with  state  aid  by  existing  libraries,  and 
(3)  traveling  libraries  maintained  and  circulated  with  state 
aid  by  associations.  There  are  now  30  libraries  of  the  first 
class,  19  of  the  second,  120  of  the  third,  and  all  number  9,193 
volumes,  having  a  circulation  for  the  past  year  of  25,623  loans. 
Books  and  magazines  for  the  blind  are  purchased  by  the 
Committee  and  circulated  through  the  instructors  of  adult 
blind  employed  by  the  Board  of  Education. 

Publications : 

Reports,  1875-date. 

(Included  in  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Education.) 
Circulars. 


TENNESSEE.  8» 

Book  lists. 

Traveling  library  lists. 

Quarterly  Bulletin,  1908-date. 

Members  of  the  Committee: 

Frank  Hill,  Chairman,  Ashaway. 
Frank  E.  Thompson,  Newport. 
Samuel  W.  K.  Allen,  East  Greenwich. 

Executive  Officer: 

Walter  E.  Ranger,  Secretary,  State  House,  Providence. 


Tennessee 

The  Tennessee  Free  Library  Commission  was  established 
by  the  Legislature  of  1908,  and  was  organized  March  1910, 
at  which  time  a  general  secretary  was  elected  to  take  active 
charge.  The  Commission  consists  of  five  members,  the 
State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  the  State  Li- 
brarian, and  three  persons  appointed  by  the  governor  for 
terms  of  two,  four  and  six  years. 

The  Commission  is  authorized  to  give  advice  to  all 
free  public  libraries  and  school  libraries,  and  to  all  com- 
munities which  may  propose  to  establish  them;  it  may  re- 
ceive gifts  of  books  or  other  property;  operate  a  system 
of  traveling  libraries;  and  in  general  encourage  and  promote 
the  establishment  of  libraries  throughout  the  state. 

The  Commission  has  no  appropriation,  but  a  strong  ef- 
fort will  be  made  to  secure  one  from  the  next  Legislature. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

G.  H.  Baskette,  President,  Nashville. 
Miss   Mary  Hannah  Johnson,   Secretary,   Nashville. 
Mrs.  W.  D.   Beard,  Treasurer,   Memphis. 
R.   L.  Jones,   State   Superintendent  of   Public   Instruc- 
tion, Nashville. 
Miss   Mary  Skeffington,   State  Librarian,   Nashville. 


84  LIBRARY  COMMISSION  HAND-BOOK. 

Executive  Officer: 
Mrs.  Pearl  Williams  Kelley,  General  Secretary,  Nash- 
ville. 


Texas 

The  act  creating  the  Texas  Library  and  Historical  Com-, 
mission  became  effective  March  19,  1909.  It  provides  for 
a  Commission  composed  of  three  members  appointed  by 
the  Governor  and  two  ex-officio  members — the  Professor  of 
History  in  the  University  of  Texas  and  the  Superintendent 
of  Public  Instruction. 

The  duties  of  the  Commission  may  be  grouped  as  fol- 
lows:  (i)  to  control  and  administer  the  State  Library,  to 
collect  materials  relating  to  the  history  of  Texas  and  the 
adjoining  states,  to  preserve,  classify  and  publish  the  man- 
uscript archives,  to  encourage  historical  work  and  research; 
(2)  to  aid  those  who  are  studying  the  problems  to  be  dealt 
with  by  legislation  by  maintaining  in  the  State  Library  a 
section  for  legislative  reference;  and  (3)  to  aid  and  encour- 
age public  libraries  by  giving  advice  to  such  persons  as 
contemplate  the  establishment  of  public  libraries  in  regard 
to  such  matters  as  the  maintenance  of  public  libraries,  se- 
lection of  books,  cataloging,  and  library  management. 

This  comprehensive  grant  of  powers  to  the  Commission 
is  at  present  greatly  restricted  for  all  practical  purposes  by 
failure  to  supply  the  funds  necessary  to  give  them  effect. 

Publications: 

"Texas  Libraries,"  Vol.  i.  No.  i  and  2. 

Circular  No.  i.  Law  governing  the  Texas  State  Libra- 
ry and  the  Texas  Library  and  Historical  Commission. 

Circular  No.  2.  Rules  and  regulations  of  the  Texas 
State  Library. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 
Mrs.  J.  C.  Terrell,  Fort  Worth,  Chairman. 
Geo.  W.  Littlefield,  Austin. 


UTAH.  85 

F.   M.   Bralley,  Austin. 
Richard  Mays,  Corsicana. 
E.  C.  Barker,  Austin. 

Executive  Officer: 
E.  W.  Winkler,  State  Librarian,  Secretary,  Austin. 


Utah 

The  public  library  movement  in  Utah  was  first  given 
authoritative  organization  and  leadership  in  1907,  when  Gov. 
John  C  Cutler,  at  the  suggestion  of  leading  educators,  called 
a  state  convention  to  create  a  live  interest  in  the  laws  which 
had  been  passed  some  years  before,  empowering  all  cities 
in  the  state  to  establish  libraries.  This  convention  author- 
ized Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  A.  C.  Nelson,  to 
appoint  a  promoting  commission  to  carry  forward  the  work 
until  the  legislature  should  by  law  organize  a  state  com- 
mission to  assume  the  responsibility. 

This  first  commission  was  immediately  appointed  as  fol- 
lows: Prof.  Howard  R.  Driggs,  University  of  Utah,  pres- 
ident; Dr.  E.  G.  Gowans,  Judge  Juvenile  Court,  vice-presi- 
dent; A.  C.  Matheson,  secretary;  E.  R.  South,  treasurer;  L. 
R.  Anderson,  W.  D.  Livingston;  State  Senator  John  Y. 
Smith;  Prof.  Fred  W.  Reynolds,  University  of  Utah,  and 
Esther  Nelson,  Librarian  University  of  Utah,  members. 

The  promoting  commission  carried  on  a  successful  cam- 
paign of  library  education,  without  state  funds  or  other 
financial  help.  The  members  generously  gave  of  their  means 
and  time,  publishing  pamphlets  and  delivering  lectures  in 
about  half  the  cities  of  the  state.  The  result  was  a  great 
awakening  in  library  interest. 

When  the  next  legislature  convened,  the  promoting  com- 
mission presented  a  bill  authorizing  the  appointment  of  a 
regular  library  commission. 

The  law  was  passed  with  some  amendments  establishing 
a  State  Library-Gymnasium  Commission  of  five  members  to 
be  appointed  by  the  State  Board  of  Education,  and  to  be 


«6  LIBRARY    COMMISSION    HAND-BOOK. 

under  its  general  supervision.  Its  purpose  is  "to  increase 
and  improve  educational  advantages  of  the  state  by  establish- 
ing and  maintaining  free  libraries  and  gymnasiums." 

Advisory  Work.  The  new  commission  began  work 
in  May  1907,  carrying  on  the  work  begun  by  the  promoting 
commission  of  stimulating  library  interest  in  the  various 
cities  and  directing  them  in  their  efforts.  Fully  one  half  of 
the  cities  and  towns  have  now  taken  definite  steps  toward 
establishing  libraries.  The  special  feature  of  the  work  in 
Utah  is  the  promotion  of  the  public  gymnasium  with  the 
library.  It  is  believed  that  through  this  combination  better 
results  will  be  accomplished  by  offering  to  boys  and  young 
men  opportunities  for  healthful  development  of  mind  and 
body. 

School  and  Home  Libraries.  In  addition  to  the 
great  public  library  work,  a  decided  uplift  has  also  been 
given  within  the  past  two  years  to  the  school  and  home  li- 
braries in  the  state. 

A  law  making  it  obligatory  upon  school  boards  to  spend 
for  school  libraries  fifteen  cents  per  capita  annually  for 
each  school  child,  was  passed  by  the  last  legislature.  The 
books  are  to  be  selected  from  lists  made  by  the  State  Board 
of  Education.  Through  this  means,  the  schools  are  assured 
the  right  kind  of  supplemental  books  in  ample  quantity. 

The  Commission  has  also  done  signal  service  for  the 
home  libraries  by  helping  parents  in  their  purchases,  by  pre- 
vailing upon  the  merchants  to  carry  only  choice  books  at 
Christmas  time. 

Publications: 

The    library-gymnasium    movement,    1909. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Dr.  Wm.  M.  Stewart,  President. 
Dr.  George  Thomas,  Vice-president. 
Dr.  E.  G.  Gowans. 
Supt.  John  M.  Mills. 
Asst.  Supt.  John  S.  Welch. 


VERMONT.  87 

Executive  Officer: 
Howard  R.  Driggs,  Secretary,  University  of  Utah,  Salt 
Lake  City. 

Vermont 

The  Board  of  Library  Commissioners,  established  in 
1894,  is  authorized  to  give  advice  to  librarians  or  trustees 
of  any  free  library  regarding  selection  of  books,  catalog- 
ing, and  any  other  matters  pertaining  to  the  maintenance  or 
administration  of  the  library;  and  to  distribute  state  aid  to 
libraries  established  under  state  law.  In  1900,  an  amend- 
ment to  the  law  was  passed  providing  for  a  system  of  travel- 
ing libraries. 

In  1908  the  library  law  was  repealed  and  the  Board  re- 
ceived increased  appropriation  and  larger  powers  in  addition 
to  that  covered  by  the  old  law. 

Advisory  Work.  Members  of  the  Commission  and 
its  secretary  assist  at  public  meetings  for  library  interests 
and  in  some  cases  by  personal  work  in  a  town  aid  in  get- 
ting a  free  library  established. 

A  quarterly  bulletin  is  published  to  furnish  information 
bearing  upon  library  work  in  the  state  and  to  supply  a  me- 
dium of  communication  between  the  librarians  of  the  state 
and  the  Commission. 

Since  1905,  the  Commission  has  each  year  subscribed 
for  thirty-five  copies  of  Public  Libraries,  and  sent  the  same 
free  of  charge  to  such  libraries  in  the  state  as  particularly 
needed  the  assistance  of  such  a  journal. 

To  assist  librarians  in  making  their  selection  of  books 
each  public  library  in  the  state  is  supplied  with  a  copy  of 
the  A.  L.  A.  Book-list.  This  list  takes  the  place  of  the  an- 
nual lists  that  were  formerly  issued  by  the  Commission. 

Instruction.  Following  the  plan  begun  in  1908 
the  Commission,  sometimes  in  conjunction  with  the  State  Li- 
brary Association,  has  continued  to  hold  quarterly  meetings 
at  different  towns  in  the  state.  To  these  not  only  librarians 
but  educators  and  all  interested  in  libraries  and  schools  have 


88  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

been  invited,  and  the  interest  and  attendance  have  been 
most  gratifying,  the  latter  ranging  from  50  to  over  100.  The 
topics  considered  have  been  inspirational  rather  than  tech- 
nical, and  cooperation  with  schools  has  been  a  central  theme. 
In  this  state  school  districts  were  long  since  abolished  and 
very  few  schools  have  libraries  so  the  town  library  is  the 
center  from  which  schools  should  be  supplied.  Emphasis  has 
also  been  placed  on  the  establishment  of  branch  libraries  in 
towns  so  situated  as  to  need  them,  and  the  circulation  of 
traveling  libraries  in  schools  by  the  local  library.  Sometimes 
evening  sessions  have  been  held  and  often  the  library  trus- 
tees or  association  furnish  entertainment  so  these  meetings 
have  been  delightfully  social  and  informal. 

An  annual  institute  of  instruction  was  held  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Vermont  in  Burlington,  in  July,  1908,  at  Middle- 
bury  College  in  Middlebury,  in  July,  1909,  and  at  the  Acad- 
emy in  St.  Johnsbury  in  June,  1910,  all  of  which  were 
profitable  and  well  attended.  The  session  of  a  week  was 
occupied  by  lessons  in  book  mending  and  the  principles  of 
cataloging  and  library  methods.  The  course  was  entirely 
free,  and  free  rooms  and  board  at  reduced  rates  were  pro- 
vided the  first  two  years.  A  section  in  the  new  law  pro- 
vides that  the  necessary  expenses  of  a  librarian  in  attendance 
at  such  school  may  be  paid  by  the  town,  city  or  incorporated 
village  in  which  such  librarian  is  employed.  Also  the  Com- 
mission is  authorized  by  law  to  hold  such  school. 

The  Commission  has  the  support  of  practically  the  entire 
public  press  of  the  state  to  which  it  sends  all  of  its  pub- 
lications, and  which  is  supplied  regularly  by  the  Publicity 
committee  of  the  Library  Association  with  items  of  library 
interest. 

Organizing.  Whenever  a  town  requests  aid  in  cata- 
loging or  organizing  the  Commission  pays  the  traveling  ex- 
penses of  the  Secretary  who  may  remain  with  them  not  to 
exceed  4  days,  board  being  furnished  by  the  library.  The  sec- 
retary also  orders  supplies,  and  recommends  catalogers  who 
may  be  engaged  by  the  library. 


VERMONT.  8ft 

Direct  Aid.  Upon  the  establishment  of  a  free  public 
library  under  state  laws  any  town  is  entitled  to  $ioo  worth 
of  books  selected  and  purchased  by  the  Commission.  Under 
the  new  law  the  Commission  may  also  spend  a  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding $1,000  annually  for  the  purchase  of  books  for  the 
annual  aid  of  towns  whose  grand  lists  exclusive  of  polls  do 
not  exceed  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  whose  free  public  li- 
braries are  doing  efficient  work  for  the  public  and  rendering 
useful  assistance  to  the  public  schools.  Not  more  than  $ioo 
annually  can  be  given  to  one  town.  The  policy  of  the  state 
is  to  encourage  the  establishment  of  the  library  on  the  same 
footing  as  the  public  school,  that  it  shall  be  owned,  con- 
trolled and  supported  by  the  town.  This  is  gradually  turn- 
ing old  subscription  and  association  libraries  into  municipal 
affairs. 

A  penalty  was  also  added  to  the  new  law  to  provide  for 
the  withdrawal  of  state  books  if  not  properly  cared  for  by 
a  town,  and  an  incorporated  village  made  eligible  for  state 
aid. 

Traveling  Libraries.  Three  or  more  citizens  may 
apply  for  a  traveling  library  and  are  entitled  to  the  use 
of  such  on  signing  an  agreement  to  pay  transportation  ex- 
penses and  to  be  responsible  for  the  care  of  the  books.  "Any 
local  library,  literary  or  other  club,  agricultural  or  other  so- 
ciety, grange,  college,  seminary,  university  extension  center, 
study  circle  or  other  association  shall,  on  the  same  terms 
and  in  the  discretion  of  the  commissioners  have  the  use  of 
such  traveling  libraries." 

Superintendents  of  schools  and  school  directors  may  ap- 
ply for  traveling  libraries  for  use  in  schools  and  pay  the  ex- 
penses of  transportation  of  the  same  from  the  school  funds 
of  their  respective  towns. 

In  addition  to  the  general  libraries  containing  from  40  to 
50  volumes  each,  a  number  of  libraries  selected  especially  for 
school  use  are  loaned  to  rural  schools.  To  supply  the  de- 
mand of  study  clubs  there  are  a  number  of  special  libra- 
ries supplemented  by  the  general  reserve  library. 


90  LIBRARY  COMMISSION  HAND-BOOK. 

For  the  past  two  years  special  attention  has  been  given 
to  the  State  Institutions,— Reform  School,  House  of  Correc- 
tion, State  Prison,  and  Insane  Hospital.  These  have  been 
visited,  the  needs  of  the  inmates  ascertained  and  either  gen- 
eral or  special  collections  of  books  in  the  traveling  libra- 
ries sent  to  them.  The  results  have  been  good  for  the  In- 
stitutions, but  hard  upon  the  books  and  the  Board  hope  to 
arrange  to  supply  them  annually  with  books  that  shall  re- 
main permanently  on  their  shelves. 

Periodical  Exchange.  To  help,  public  libraries  to 
build  up  reference  collections  of  magazines,  the  Commission 
has  established  a  clearing  house  for  periodicals,  on  the 
usual  plan,  through  which  many  volumes  of  valuable  maga- 
zines have  been  added  to  the  libraries  of  the  state  at  small 
expense. 

Many  more  magazines  having  come  in  than  are  called 
for  by  the  libraries,  the  Commission  has  recently  donated 
both  sets  and  odd  numbers  to  the  State  Institutions,  where 
the  sets  will  be  bound  and  the  odd  numbers  circulated  till 
worn  out  or  cut  up  for  pictures. 

Documents.  When  a  town  has  established  a  public 
library,  the  town  may  vote  to  place  in  the  library  documents 
received  from  the  state  for  the  use  of  the  town,  with  cer- 
tain exceptions ;  and  the  state  librarian  is  directed  to  de^ 
liver  to  such  libraries  duplicate  documents  and  volumes 
published  or  provided  by  the  state. 

Publications: 

Biennial  Reports,   1897-  date. 
Bulletin,    (quarterly)    1905-  date. 
Library  law,   1908. 
Various  circulars  of  information. 
Traveling  library  catalogs. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

March  M.  Wilson,  Randolph. 
Mrs.  W.  P.  Smith,  St.  Johnsbury. 


VIRGINIA.  91 

Mrs.  C.  M.  Winslow,  Brandon. 
Edward  M,  Goddard,  Montpelier. 
Miss  Fanny  B.  Fletcher,  Proctorsville. 

Executive  Officer: 

Miss   Rebecca  Wright,   Secretary,   State  House,   Mont- 
pelier. 


Virginia 

The  Virginia  State  Library  performs  many  of  the  func- 
tions of  a  library  commission,  in  that  it  has  charge  of  the 
system  of  traveling  libraries,  and  endeavors  in  every  way 
possible  to  advance  library  interests  in  general  in  the  state. 

Traveling  Libraries.  In  1906,  the  General  As- 
sembly appropriated  $7,500.00  for  inaugurating  the  system  of 
traveling  libraries,  and  gave  $1,800.00  a  year  for  1908  and 
1909  for  maintaining  it. 

The  libraries  consist  of  fixed  collections,  numbering  from 
25  to  50  books.  These  collections  are  sent,  without  charge, 
on  application  of  ten  taxpayers  who  have  formed  a  local 
library  association  by  electing  a  president  and  librarian. 
The  librarian  agrees  to  abide  by  all  the  rules  of  the  State 
Library  regarding  the  circulation  of  the  books  and  keeping 
of  records  and  to  return  the  books  at  the  end  of  six  months. 
There  are  three  classes  of  traveling  libraries,  namely,  the 
libraries  for  adult  readers  (called  citizens'  or  general  trav- 
eling libraries),  libraries  for  the  use  of  pupils  of  the  pub- 
lic schbols,  and  special  collections.  In  addition  to  the  books 
in  the  fixed  collections,  there  are  about  600  volumes  from 
which  selection  may  be  made. 

Publications: 
Annual  report  of  the  State  Librarian. 


92  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Members  of  the  State  Library  Board: 

Armistead  C.  Gordon,  Chairman,   Staunton. 
S.  S.  P.  Patteson,  Richmond. 
John  W.  Fishburne,  Charlottesville. 
Theodore  S.  Garnett,  Norfolk. 
Edmund  Pendleton,  Richmond. 

Executive  Staff: 
H.  R.  Mcllwaine,  State  Librarian,  Richmond. 
G.  C.  Moseley,  Chief,  Division  of  Traveling  Libraries. 


Washington 

The  State  Library  Commission  consists  of  the  Governor, 
the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  the  Attorney  General, 
and  was  created  by  the  law  of  1903  to  have  charge  of  the 
State  Library  and  all  its  departments.  In  addition  an  ad- 
visory board  was  created  which  consists  of  the  Superin- 
tendent of  Public  Instruction  and  four  persons  appointed  by 
the  Governor,  one  of  whom  shall  be  a  person  recommended 
by  the  Washington  State  Historical  Society,  and  one  of 
whom  shall  be  a  person  recommended  by  the  State  Federa- 
tion of  Women's  clubs.  The  advisory  board  is  directed  by 
the  law  to  give  particular  attention  to  the  building  up  of  a 
state  historical  department  and  a  system  of  traveling  li- 
braries, and  to  give  advice  and  counsel  to  all  free  libraries 
in  the  state,  regarding  the  best  means  of  establishment  and 
administration. 

Advisory  Work.  Under  the  law  of  1903,  the  Ad- 
visory Board  of  the  State  Library  shall  give  advice  and  coun- 
sel to  all  free  libraries  in  the  state,  and  to  all  communities 
which  may  propose  to  establish  them,  as  to  the  best  means 
of  establishing  and  administering  such  libraries,  the  selec- 
tion of  good  books,  cataloging  and  other  details  of  library 
management.  The  A.  L.  A.  Book-list  is  distributed  to  public 
libraries,  as  are  also  all  the  reports  and  public  documents  of 
the  state. 


WASHINGTON.  93 

Instruction.  A  six-weeks'  summer  school  is  con- 
ducted at  the  University  of  Washington  under  the  supervi- 
sion of  the  librarian  of  the  Universit3r, 

Direct  Aid.  The  law  of  1903  authorizes  the  state  to 
give  direct  financial  aid  to  public  libraries  under  the  control 
of  the  Library  Commission,  but  no  appropriation  has  yet 
been  made  for  the  purpose. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  traveling  library  of  Wash- 
ington was  started  by  the  State  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs,  and  turned  over  to  the  State  Library  Commission  on 
its  establishment  in  1901.  In  1903,  when  the  Commission 
was  reorganized,  the  traveling  libraries  were  made  a  depart- 
ment of  the  State  Library.  By  the  law  of  1907,  the  travel- 
ing library  work  is  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  Superintendent 
of  Traveling  Libraries,  appointed  by  the  Commission  but 
independent  of  the  State  Library. 

The  libraries  are  sent  to  any  community  upon  the  appli- 
cation of  three  responsible  persons,  and  upon  the  payment  of 
transportation  charges.  A  special  effort  has  been  made  to 
reach  study  clubs,  who  are  urged  to  send  in  programs. 
Lists  of  books  in  the  State  Library,  bearing  on  the  subjects 
pursued,  are  sent  to  the  clubs  to  make  their  selection.  The 
only  expense  to  the  clubs  is  the  transportation  fee  and  any 
number  of  books  desired  are  supplied. 

Periodical  Clearing  House.  Volumes  and  single 
numbers  of  magazines  are  supplied  to  public  libraries  on 
the  usual  exchange  plan. 

Documents.  The  State  Library  has  full  control  of 
the  distribution  of  state  documents.  A  legislative  reference 
department  has  been  organized  on  the  same  plan  as  that  in 
Wisconsin. 

Publications: 

Biennial  reports,   1904,   1906. 
Library  laws  of  Washington,   1903. 


94  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Washington  Library  Association  Bulletin   (quarterly). 
Check-List  of  Pacific  North  West  History,  1909. 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

Governor  M.  E.  Hay. 
Attorney-General  W.  P.  Bell. 
Supreme  Justice  Mark  A.  Fullerton. 
Supreme  Justice  Wallace  Mount. 
Supreme  Justice  Ralph  O.  Dunbar. 
Supreme  Justice  S.  J.  Chadwick. 
Supreme  Justice  M.  F.  Gose. 
Supreme  Justice  Herman  D.  Crow. 
Supreme  Justice  Frank  H.  Rudkin. 
Supreme  Justice  Geo.  E.  Morris. 
Supreme  Justice  E.  F.  Parker. 

State  Library  Advisory  Board: 

H.  B.  Dewey,  Supt.  Public  Instruction,  ex-officio. 

Mrs.  Kate  Turner  Holmes,  Seattle,  representing  Federa- 
tion of  Women's  Clubs. 

Mr.  F.  F.  Hopper,  Tacoma,  representing  State  His- 
torical Society. 

W.  E.  Henry,  Seattle,  Libn.  University  of  Washington. 

Senator  J.  D.  Bassett,  Ritzville. 

Executive  Staff: 

J.  M.  Hitt,  State  Librarian,  Secretary,  ex-officio,  Olympia. 
Miss  Josephine  Holgate,  Assistant  Librarian. 
Mrs,  Lou  G.  Diven,  Superintendent  Traveling  Library 
.  Department. 


Wisconsin 

The  Free  Library  Commission  carries  on  its  work  of 
library  extension  in  Wisconsin  through  (i)  the  Instruction- 
al Department,  which  includes  the  maintenance  of  the  Wis- 
consin Library  School  as  well  as  a  summer  school  and  va- 
rious library  institutes,   (2)   the  Department  of  Library  Ex- 


WISCONSIN.  95 

tension  and  Visitation,  which  js  closely  associated  with  the 
Instructional  Department,  (3)  the  Traveling  Library  Depart- 
ment, and  (4)  the  Legislative  Reference  Department,  which 
includes  a  legislative  bill  drafting  department  as  well  as  the 
legislative  reference  library. 

Advisory  Work.  In  the  organization  of  a  new  libra- 
ry, the  Commission  offers  such  advice  and  assistance  as  is 
needed.  A  member  of  the  staff  may  be  sent  to  advise  with 
the  board  as  to  best  methods  of  organization.  Frequent  visits 
are  made  to  the  libraries  for  the  purpose  of  giving  aid  and 
counsel  in  the  improvement  of  methods  of  work,  in  planning 
new  branches  of  service,  in  choice  of  books.  Much  time  has 
been  given  to  the  study  of  library  buildings,  their  planning 
and  equipment,  and  an  excellent  collection  of  photographs  and 
plans  has  been  made,  together  with  specifications,  samples, 
and  estimates  of  cost. 

The  first  Suggestive  list  of  books  for  a  small  library  was 
published  in  1897  ai^d  several  revised  editions  of  this  have 
been  issued  since  that  time.  Buying-lists  of  recent  hooks  to 
supplement  the  Suggestive  list  were  issued  at  frequent  inter- 
vals, and  special  bibliographies  have  also  been  prepared.  The 
1905  edition  of  the  Suggestive  list  of  books  (for  adults)  was 
compiled  by  the  Wisconsin  Commission  and  published  by  the 
League  of  Library  Commissions.  A  Suggestive  list  of  books 
for  children  has  been  prepared  by  the  Commission  and  is 
now  being  published  by  the  League.  Since  the  A.  L.  A.  Book- 
list began  publication  in  1905,  the  Buying-lists  have  been  dis- 
continued. 

Instruction.  The  Commission  gives  instruction  in 
library  methods  through  a  library  school,  through  library  in- 
stitutes, and  through  personal  visits  to  librarians  in  their 
libraries. 

A  summer  library  school  was  instituted  in  1895.  In  1899  the 
school  was  made  a  permanent  institution  of  the  Commis- 
sion, with  an  annual  elementary  course  of  eight  weeks  which 
was  later  changed  to  six  weeks.  It  is  conducted  in  con- 
nection with  the  summer  school  of  the  University  of  Wis- 


96  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

consin.  The  instruction  given  includes  cataloging,  classifi- 
cation, reference  work,  book  buying  and  book  selection, 
children's  literature,  work  with  children  in  the  library  and 
school,  and  instruction  in  technical  work  and  business  meth- 
ods suited  to  the  small  library.  In  1902,  1904,  1906,  1908,  a 
supplementary  course  of  several  weeks  was  conducted,  in- 
tended for  those  who  had  completed  the  elementary  train- 
ing, and  offering  courses  in  the  study  of  books  and  the  in- 
spirational side  of  library  work. 

A  permanent  library  school  offering  a  course  of  one  year 
was  opened  in  September,  1906.  The  course  of  instruction 
covers  the  fundamental  principles  of  library  work  in  all  its 
branches,  bibliographical,  technical,  and  administrative,  devel- 
oped on  practical  rather  than  theoretical  lines.  It  includes 
twenty-six  weeks  of  actual  curriculum  work  with  two  months 
(February  and  March)  devoted  to  field  practice  in  the  li- 
braries of  the  state  under  the  supervision  of  members  of 
the  teaching  staff. 

The  establishment  of  a  course  offered  jointly  by  the  Univ- 
ersity of  Wisconsin  and  the  Library  School  marked  an  im- 
portant epoch  in  the  history  of  the  school.  During  the 
freshman  and  sophomore  years,  students  in  the  University 
follow  the  usual  college  courses,  electing  those  calculated  to 
make  the  best  foundation  for  library  work;  at  the  end  of  the 
sophomore  year  they  take  the  entrance  examinations  of  the 
Library  School.  If  they  are  admitted  to  the  Library  School, 
the  University  in  recognition  of  the  school's  standards  of 
scholarship,  grants  twenty  hours  (five  hours  each  semester) 
of  credit  toward  the  A.  B.  degree  for  work  done  in  the  Li- 
brary School  in  the  junior  and  senior  years. 

Library  institutes  have  been  held  in  various  parts  of 
the  state  to  give  elementary  instruction  to  librarians  who 
cannot  come  to  the  library  school.  These  institutes  also 
serve  as  conferences  for  librarians  who  have  had  more  or 
less  training,  and  afford  opportunity  for  the  comparative 
study  of  methods  and  an  interchange  of  ideas. 

Instruction  is  given  in  the  small  libraries  to  the  librarians 
individually  while  the  organization  of  the  library  progresses, 
and  every  subsequent  visit  of  the  members  of  the  Commis- 


WISCONSIN.  97 

sion  staff  brings  some  addition  to  the  librarian's  stock  of 
library  knowledge  and  enthusiasm.  It  is  the  aim  of  the 
Commission  to  visit  every  library  in  the  state  at  least  once 
each  year. 

The  Commission  distributes  annually  to  the  libraries  of 
the  state,  much  library  literature  of  an  instructional  nature 
including  aids  in  book  selection,  the  A.  L.  A.  Booklist,  spe- 
cial lists,  etc.  Since  January,  1905,  the  Wisconsin  Library 
Bulletin,  published  bimonthly,  has  been  sent  to  every  library 
in  the  state.  This  contains  helpful  articles  and  suggestions 
on  practical  topics,  answers  to  questions  arising  in  library 
work,  and  lists  of  a  bibliographical  nature,  and  constitutes  a 
medium  for  exchange  of  ideas  between  the  Commission  and 
the  libraries  as  well  as  between  the  different  libraries  them- 
selves. 

Organizing.  The  Commission  aids  in  classifying  and 
cataloging  the  books,  installing  a  charging  system  and  putting 
the  library  on  a  thorough  working  and  business  basis.  If 
the  library  is  in  a  large  town  with  generous  support,  the  Com- 
mission gives  advice  and  counsel,  assists  in  finding  trained 
librarians,  oversees  the  organization  generally,  but  does  not 
do  the  actual  work.  In  cases  where  less  funds  are  available, 
the  Commission  furnishes  the  services  but  expects  the  li- 
brary to  bear  part  of  the  expense ;  while  in  the  case  of  small 
libraries,  the  Commission  gives  the  time  of  the  organizer. 

Traveling  Libraries.  The  Commission  maintains 
a  system  of  traveling  libraries.  These  are  sent  to  farming 
communities  and  to  villages  too  small  to  support  public  li- 
braries ;  to  larger  villages  and  towns  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
couraging the  establishment  of  local  libraries;  to  villages 
and  towns  already  maintaining  public  libraries,  but  whose 
book  funds  are  insufficient  for  the  frequent  purchases  of 
books  necessary  to  sustain  public  interest ;  to  study  clubs  not 
having  access  to  public  libraries  offering  adequate  service; 
and  to  public  libraries  with  large  numbers  of  German,  Scan- 
dinavian or  Polish  patrons,  libraries  made  up  of  books  in 
their  languages.  The  study  libraries  are  retained  as  long  as 
the  club  pursues  the  subject  they  cover;  the  other  series  are 


98  LIBRARY  COMMISSION  HAND-BOOK. 

kept  six  months,  when  exchange  is  made.  The  English 
libraries  contain  from  50  to  60  of  the  best  popular  books 
in  fiction,  history,  travel,  biography,  science  and  literature 
for  adults  and  children.  The  study  libraries  vary  greatly 
in  number  of  books,  and  are  sometimes  supplemented  by 
magazines  and  pamphlets.  They  are  accompanied  with  out- 
lines and  programs.  The  German,  Scandinavian  and  Polish 
libraries  contain  35-40  books.  These  libraries  are  loaned  to 
public  libraries  for  a  rental  fee  of  $7  a  year,  there  being  a 
semi-annual  exchange  of  boxes.  Foreign  groups  comprising 
ten  books  each  are  added  to  the  English  traveling  libraries 
sent  to  communities  where  a  foreign-born  element  can  be 
served.  There  are  collections  in  German,  Polish,  Norwegian, 
Swedish,  Bohemian,  Yiddish  and  French. 

"Town"  traveling  libraries,  comprising  100  English  books 
each,  are  intended  for  the  larger  villages  and  smaller  cities 
financially  unable  to  maintain  a  public  library,  but  too  popu- 
lous to  remain  satisfied  with  a  traveling  library  of  the  usual 
size.  Upon  payment  of  $12  a  year,  the  Commission  agrees 
to  supply  100  books  which  are  exchanged  semi-annually  for 
other  collections  of  like  character.  Transportation  charges 
are  paid  by  the  local  station.  A  library  organization  is  ef- 
fected in  each  place,  and  frequently  a  reading-room  is  opened 
in  connection  with  the  traveling  library.  These  "Town"  li- 
braries are  also  sent  upon  the  same  terms  to  small  public  li- 
braries to  supplement  their  small  collections  of  books. 

The  Commission  also  has  a  few  groups  composed  of  fifty 
attractive  books  largely  the  best  new  fiction  to  meet  the 
demand  from  those  small  libraries  which  wish  to  keep  up  to 
date  in  books  but  have  insufficient  funds.  These  "new  book'* 
libraries  are  sent  out  in  the  same  way  that  the  "town"  libra- 
ries are  handled  at  a  cost  of  $10  per  year. 

The  traveling  library  stations  are  visited  from  time  to 
time  that  the  Commission  may  keep  in  touch  with  the  com- 
munities served  and  that  direct  knowledge  may  be  gained  of 
the  individual  condition  and  needs  of  each  station. 

Many  of  the  counties  of  the  state  have  established  sys- 
tems of  traveling  libraries  under  an  enabling  law  which  per- 
mits counties   to   appropriate  $500   for  the  initial   establish- 


WISCONSIN.  9» 

ment  of  the  system,  together  with  $50  for  salary  of  libra- 
rian and  $25  for  traveling  expenses,  the  sum  of  $200  annually 
with  salary  for  librarian  and  expenses  being  allowed  in  sub- 
sequent years. 

Periodical      Exchange.    The      Commission      operates 

a  clearing  house  for  magazines  with  the  purpose  of  build- 
ing up  reference  collections  of  bound  periodicals  in  the  public 
libraries  of  the  state,  and  supplying  current  topics'  material 
for  clubs.  It  also  sends  large  quantities  of  the  popular  maga- 
zines to  lumber  camps,  etc. 

Documents.  Each  established  library  of  over  1,000 
volumes  is  entitled  to  one  copy  of  all  documents  published 
by  the  state.  The  Commission  designates  such  libraries  as 
depositories  of  state  documents  and  prepares  lists  for  the  use 
of  the  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Property.  The  Com- 
mission has  also  compiled  a  check-list  of  state  documents 
and  will  publish  supplementary  lists  as  they  are  required. 
Printed  catalog  cards  of  state  documents  are  prepared  by 
the  Commission  to  be  distributed  to  public  libraries  and  to 
the  various  departments  of  the  state. 

Legislative  Reference  Department.  In  1901,  the 
Legislature  authorized  the  Commission  to  conduct  a 
legislative  reference  room,  and  to  gather  and  index  for 
the  use  of  members,  of  the  Legislature  and  the  executive  of- 
ficers of  the  state  such  reports,  bills,  documents  and  other 
material  from  Wisconsin  and  other  states  as  would  aid  them 
in  their  official  duties.  This  department  aims  to  build  up  a 
working  library  of  present-day  subjects,  so  that  the  history 
of  legislation  and  all  possible  material  on  economic  problems 
may  be  readily  available  as  each  question  arises.  The  work 
has  already  had  a  decided  effect  upon  good  legislation  in 
Wisconsin  and  is  very  popular  with  all  members  of  the  Legis- 
lature. In  1907  a  bill-drafting  department  was  organized  to 
assist  the  members  of  the  legislature  in  putting  into  proper 
form  their  ideas  as  to  needed  legislation.  The  appropriation 
of  $1,500  for  the  first  year,  has  now  been  increased  to 
$15,000  a  year. 


100  LIBRARY   COMMISSION   HAND-BOOK. 

Publications: 

American   social  questions,  nos.  i-6. 
Anniversaries  and  holidays. 
Biennial  report,  v.  8,  1910. 
Bulletin    (bi-monthly)    January,   1905  to  date. 
Check  list  of  journals  and  public  documents  of  Wiscon- 
sin,   1903. 

Circulars  of  information: 

1  Establishing  a  library,  first  steps. 

2  How  to  secure  a  traveling  library. 

3  Suggestions  for  library  rules  and  regulations. 

4  Magazines  for  the  small  library. 

5  Campaigning  for  a  public  library. 

6  Legislative  reference  department. 

7  Traveling  libraries  in  Wisconsin. 
Comparative  legislation  bulletins,  nos.  1-21. 
Instructional  department  pamphlets: 

1  Wisconsin  library  school,  1909-10. 

2  Short  course,  library  school,  1910. 

3  Picture  collections  in  small  libraries. 

4  Supplementary  course,  library  school,  1908. 

5  Commercial  geography. 

6  Books   on   missions. 

7  How  to  care  for  books  in  a  library. 

Traveling  library  circulars : 

1  Traveling  libraries  for  public  libraries. 

2  Traveling  libraries   for  communities  without  pub- 

lic  libraries. 

Miscellaneous  pamphlets : 

Laws  of  Wisconsin  relating  to  free  public  libraries 
and  the  Free  library  commission  1905  (1911  in  prep- 
aration). 

Library  extension,  by  Edward  A.  Birge,  1905. 

One  hundred  popular  German  books. 

Some  Wisconsin  library  buildings. 

Study  outlines,  nos.   1-23. 


•WiSecNsiN.  •''  •  \'  *J '  »•''>         101 

Members  of  the  Commission: 

James  M.  Pereles,  Milwaukee. 

Reuben  G.  Thwaites,  Secretary  State  Historical  Society, 

Madison. 
Mrs.  Charles  S.  Morris,  Berlin. 
Charles  R.  Van  Hise,  President  University  of  Wisconsin, 

Madison. 
Charles  P.  Cary,  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 

Madison. 

Executive  Staff: 

Matthew  S.  Dudgeon,  Secretary,  and  Director  of  Li- 
brary School,  Madison. 

Charles  McCarthy,  Chief  of  Legislative  Reference  De- 
partment. 

Miss  L.  E.  Stearns,  Chief  of  Traveling  Library  Depart- 
ment. 

Miss  Mary  Emogene  Hazeltine,  Chief  of  Instructional 
Department  and  Preceptor  of  Library  School. 

Miss  Ethel  F.  McCollough,  Instructor  Library  School. 

Miss  Helen  T.  Kennedy,  Instructor  Library  School. 

Miss  Helen  Turvill,  Instructor  Library  School. 

Miss  Mary  Carpenter,  Instructor  Library  School. 

Miss  Ono  M.  Imhoff,  Cataloger  Legislative  Reference 
Department. 

Mrs.  Anna  L.  Mayers,  Executive  Clerk. 


DIRECTORY  OF  COMMISSIONS 


Name  of  Commission 


Date 
estab. 


Executive    Officer 


♦Alabama  Dept.  of  Archives  and  History  :- 

Division    of    Library    Extension 

♦California    State    Library 

Colorado  Board  of  Library  Commissioners. 
Colorado  Traveling  Library  Commission... 


♦Connecticut  Public  Library  Committee. 


♦Delaware  State  Library  Commission. 

♦Georgia  Library  Commission 

Idaho   State  Library  Commission 


♦Illinois  Library  Extension  Commission. 


♦Indiana  Public  Library  Commission. 
♦Iowa  Library  Commission 


Kansas  Traveling  Libraries  Commission. 


♦Kentucky  Library  Cominission 

Maine  Library  Commission 

Maryland  State  Library  Commission. 


♦Massachusetts  Free  Pub.  Lib.  Commission 
♦Michigan  State  Board  of  Lib.  Commissioners 
♦Minnesota  Public  Library  Commission 


'Missouri  Library  Commission 

'Nebraska  Public  Library  Commission. 


New  Hampshire  Public  Library  Commission 

♦New  Jersey  Public  Library  Commission 

♦New  York  State  Education  Dept: — 

Division  of  Educational  Extension 

♦North  Carolina  Library  Commission 


'North  Dakota  Public  Library  Commission. 


'Ohio  Board  of  Library  Commissioners. 
'Oregon  Library  Commission 


•Pennsylvania  Free  Library  Commission, 
♦Rhode  Island  Dept.  of  Education: — 

State  Committee  on  Libraries 


♦Tennessee  Free  Library  Commission 

Texas  Library  and  Historical  Commission. 
Utah  Library — Gymnasium  Commission 


♦Vermont  Board  of  Library  Commissioners. 

Virginia  State  Library 

♦Washington  State  Library  Commission . . .. . 


♦Wisconsin  Free  Library  Commission. 


1907 
1903 
1899 
1903 

1893 

1901 
1897 
1901 

1909 

1899 
1900 


1899 


1910 
1899 
1901 


1890 
1899 
1899 


1907 
1901 


1891 
1899 


1892 
1909 


1907 


1896 

1905 


1899 
1907 

1909 

1909 

1909 

1894 
1906 
1901 

1895 


Thomas  M.  Owen,  Director. . 
James  L.  Gillis,  State  Lib'n.. 

C.   R.   Dudley,   President 

Carrie  M.  Gushing,  Trans.  CI' 

Mrs.  Belle  Holcomb  Johnso 
Library  Visito 
H.  Ridgely  Harrington,  Secy 
Mrs.  Percival  Sneed,  OrganiZ 
S.  Belle  Chamberlain,  Secy 

Eugenia    Allin,    Organizer . 


Carl  H.  Milam,  Secy, 
Alice  S.  Tyler,  Secy.. 


Mrs.  Adrian  Greene,  Secy. 


Fannie  C.  Rawson,  Secy... 

H.  C.  Prince,  Secy 

Bernard    C.    Steiner,    Secy. 


Zaidee  M.    Brown,   Agent 

Mrs.  Mary  C.  Spencer,  Secy. 
Clara  F.  Baldwin,  Secy 


Elizabeth  B.   Wales,    Secy.. 
Charlotte  Templeton,  Secy.. 


Arthur  H.  Chase,  Secy 

Henry  C.  Buchanan,  Secy. 


W. 


R.  Eastman,  Chief  of  Div.l 
Minnie  W.  Leatherman,  SecyJ 

Mrs.   Minnie   C.   Budlong,   Sec 
and  Directo: 


C.  B.  Galbreath,  Secy.. 
Cornelia  Marvin,   Secy. 


T.   L.   Montgomery,    Secy, 
Walter  E.  Ranger,   Secy., 


Mrs.  Pearl  W.  Kelley,  Secy. 

E.  W.  Winkler,  Secy 

Howard  R.   Driggs,   Secy . . 

Rebecca  Wright,   Secy 

H   R   Mcllwaine,  Lib'n 

J    M.'  Hitt,  Secy 


Matthew  S.   Dudgeon,   Secy..f 


♦Members   of  League  of  Lib.    Commissions. 


1 

Commissioners 

Headquarters 

No. 

5 
5 
5 

5 

9 
5 
4 

3 

3 

7 

5 

5 
5 

7 

5 
5 
5 

5 
5 

3 
5 

5 
5 

3 
5 

6 
3 

5 

5 

5 

5 
5 

11 

5 

Term 

Appointed  by 

Other  information 

;tate  Capitol,  Montgomery 

;tate  Liibrary,   Sacramento 

»ublic  Library,  Denver 

'he  Capitol,  Denver 

5 
5 

1 

5 
3 

4 
5 

3 

5 

4 

' 

5 
4 
6 

6 
5 

3 
5 

5 
5 

6 
5 

5 
6 

5 

5 

Governor 
Governor 

State      Board      of 

Educ. 
Governor 
Governor 

Commissioners    of 

State    Library 
Governor 
Governor 

Directors  of 
State    Lib. 

Governor 
Governor 
Governor 

Governor 
Governor 
Governor 

Governor 
Governor 

Governor 
Governor 

Governor  &  N.   C. 

Lib.  Assn. 
Governor 

Governor 
Governor 

Governor 

Governor 

Governor 

State      Board      of 

Educ. 
Governor 

Governor 

Board  of  Trustees  of  State  Library. 
Nominated  by  Colorado  Federation  of  Wom- 

Itate House,  Hartford 

en's  Clubs. 

tate  Library,   Dover. . . . 

State  libn.,   secretary  ex-offlcio.                        ~ 

Carnegie  Library,  Atlanta 

State  House,  Bois6,  Idaho 

)ecatur   

Atty.-gen'l,    sec.   of  state,   supt.   of  pub.   in- 
struction and  pres.  of  State  University. 
State  libn.,   member  ex-offlcio. 

The  Capitol,  Indianapolis 

State  Historical  Building 

Des  Moines. 

State  Library,  Topeka 

State  libn.,  supt.  of  pub.  instruction,  pres.  of 
State  Univ.,  members  ex-offlcio,  2  ap- 
pointees to  be  women. 

State  libn,,  ex-officio  ch'n.,  pres.  Kansas  State 

The  Capitol,  Frankfort 

social   science   fed.    of   clubs,    member  ex- 
offlcio. 

5tate  Library,  Augusta 

Cnoch   Pratt   Free   Library 

Baltimore. 

Jtate  Library,  Boston 

State  libn.,  secretary  ex-offlcio. 

State  libn.,  supt.  of  pub.  instruction  and  libn. 

of  Enoch  Pratt  library,  members  ex-offlcio. 

2  appointees  to  be  women. 
State  libn.,  chairman  ex-offlcio. 

>tate  Library,  Tiansing 

'he  Capitol,  St.  Paul 

'apitol  Annex,  Jefferson  City.. 
^he  Capitol,  Lincoln 

State   libn.,   secretary  ex-officio. 

Pres.  of  State  Univ.,  supt.  of  pub.  instruction, 
sec.  of  State  Hist.  Soc,  members  ex-of- 
ficio. 

State  supt.  of  schools,  pres.  of  State  Univ., 
members  ex-officio. 

State  libn.,  supt  of  pub.  instruction,  chancel- 
lor and  libn.  of  State  Univ.,  members  ex- 
offlcio. 

Board  of  Trustees  of  State  Library. 

State  libn.,  supt.  of  pub.  instruction,  mem- 
bers ex-offlcio. 

Supt.  of  pub.  instruction,  pres.  of  N.  D.  Lib. 
Assn.,  sec.  of  State  Hist.  Soc.,  members 
ex-offlcio. 

Commission  has  control  of  State  Library. 

Governor,  supt.  of  pub.  instruction,  pres.  of 
State  Univ.,  and  libn.  of  Portland  Lib. 
Assn.,  members  ex-officio. 

State  libn.,  secretary  ex-officio. 

3  members  of  State  Bd.  of  Educ.  compose  the 
committee,  commissioner  of  pub.  schools, 
secretary  ex-officio. 

State  libn.,  supt.  of  pub.  instruction,  mem- 
bers ex-officio. 

Supt.  of  pub.  instruction,  prof,  of  hist,  in 
Univ.  of  Texas,  members  ex-offlcio. 

Itate  Library,   Concord 

Itate  Library,   Trenton 

Itate    Library,    Albany 

Itate  House,   Raleigh 

'he   Capitol,    Bismarck 

>tate  Library,  Columbus 

State  House,  Salem 

;tate  Library,  Harrisburg 

;tate   House,    Providence 

arnegie   Libi-ary,    Nashville... 
itate  Library,  Austin . .         ... 

Iniversity  of  Utah 

Salt  Lake  City. 

tate    House,    Montpelier 

tate  Library,   Richmond 

tate    Library,    Olympia 

'he    Capitol,    Madison 

Board  of  Trustees  of  State  Library. 

Governor,  atty.-gen'l  and  judges  of  Supreme 
Court  compose  commission;  advisory  bd. 
of  5,  consists  of  supt.  of  pub.  instruction, 
and  4  appointees  of  governor. 

Pres.  of  State  Univ.,  supt.  of  pub.  instruc- 
tion and  sec.  of  State  Hist.  Soc,  members 
ex-offlcio. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


